A musical that brings the much-loved comic strip character Charlie Brown to life will run in Highgate this Christmas.

Annlouise Butt and Isaac Bernier-Doyle, who took over as artistic directors of Upstairs at the Gatehouse in March, have pledged to continue the tradition of offering festive family entertainment.

Based on Charles M Schulz' Peanuts cartoons, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown is their first in-house musical and sees five year old Charlie trying his best, but things just don’t seem to go his way. His kite won’t fly, the Little Red-Haired Girl won’t look at him, and he’s not even sure his dog Snoopy likes him all that much.

Meanwhile Lucy is desperately in love with Schroeder, who is only interested in playing his piano, Linus is clutching his blanket, and Snoopy is on his doghouse dreaming of fighting the Red Baron.

Islington Gazette: Charles M Schulz gave permission for Clark Gesner to write the 1966 musical after he heard a tape of some of the songs.Charles M Schulz gave permission for Clark Gesner to write the 1966 musical after he heard a tape of some of the songs. (Image: The Library of Congress)

Bernier-Doyle and Butt said: "We are excited and mildly terrified to be continuing John and Katie Plews’ holiday tradition of ambitious revivals of musical theatre classics which push the boundaries of our intimate Off West End setting."

The book music and lyrics were written in 1966 by Clark Gesner who gained permission from Schulz after sending him a tape of some of the songs. Capturing the joyful innocence and playfulness of the Peanuts gang, it premiered off Broadway in 1967, and with additional songs and lyrics added by Andrew Lippa in the 1990s, has become the most produced musical in history.

Bernier-Doyle assistant directs, Amanda Noar, who helmed past Gatehouse shows A Slice of Saturday Night and Stepping Out, is director and choreographer, and musical direction is by Harry Style, whose past work includes A Slice of Saturday Night and Godspell.Islington Gazette: Isaac Bernier-Doyle and Annlouise Butt who took over running Upstairs at the Gatehouse pub theatre in MarchIsaac Bernier-Doyle and Annlouise Butt who took over running Upstairs at the Gatehouse pub theatre in March (Image: Courtesy Upstairs at the Gatehouse)

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown runs Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate from December 4 until January 14. Bookings https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/ or from the box office on 020 8340 3488.