A creative writing student saved an amateur theatre company by penning a pantomime script at short notice.

University of Winchester student Alex Emms, 22, was asked to write a script for Nix Academy's Christmas show after it found itself without a scriptwriter.

The show, a pantomime version of Peter Pan, will be performed at Egham Literary Institute next month.

Alex said: "It was a bit daunting but when I got into it and realised that I could make it my own I really enjoyed the job."

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University of Winchester Creative Writing student Alex Emms with his winner's certificate at the Plaza Prizes presentation ceremony (Image: University of Winchester) He was asked to write the script after one of the mums of a child in the show found out he had won a writing prize.

Last year, Alex won the sci-fi/fantasy category of the Plaza Prizes competition for the first 5,000 words of his unpublished novel, Twice Gallowed.

He had been working on the novel ever since but switched from the Wild West to Neverland when Nix Academy asked for his help.

Starting from a basic 20-page outline, Alex has written a one hour 40-minute family show featuring Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook and his pirate crew.

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He has also introduced some new characters including pirate Smee’s mother, the dame part for the show.

Alex said: "It’s roughly the same story but with added jokes.

"As it’s a family show, I’ve tried to write jokes that would make me laugh but not get me fired."

He said he watched Spielberg’s Hook for inspiration and was also grateful that he had taken a playwriting module in his first year at Winchester.

Nicola Sutton from Nix Academy said: "We were incredibly lucky to find Alex at short notice.

"Our original scriptwriters pulled out due to illness, but Alex took this on for us and saved the day.

"We gave him a short time frame and detailed instructions, which he has made come to life, and added great comedy moments and local knowledge puns.

"We are going to have a great show and can’t wait to bring everyone on a magical adventure to Neverland."

Dr Glen Fosbraey, associate dean of humanities at the University of Winchester, said: “We’re all immensely proud of Alex, and this professional engagement is just reward for his dedication, self-motivation, and flair for playwriting.”

Peter Pan plays at the Literary Institute, Egham, on December 7 and 8.