IT’S a little early to be thinking of Christmas, especially with many families still to head off on their summer holidays, but it’s not stopping the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from being keen to let everyone know of the treats that are in store.

While there was news of Santa putting in an appearance at Selfridge’s store this week the world famous theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon has confirmed it will be reviving Ella Hickson’s Wendy and Peter Pan - a retelling of JM Barrie’s much loved book, which will once again be aimed at family audiences at the end of the year with brand new music and new cast members.

This critically acclaimed and spectacular production played to packed houses in 2013 and will be revived with the original set and costumes for its run from November 13 through to the end of January next year.

It will be directed, as before, by Jonathan Munby, designed by Colin Richmond and lit by Oliver Fenwick, and if it’s half as good as the original it will be worth watching.

Meanwhile in the Swan Theatre two other productions will be running almost side-by-side throughout the festive season.

These are Queen Anne (Nov 19 – Jan 23) and Love for Love (Oct 28 - Jan 22).

Queen Anne is Helen Edmundson’s gripping new play about the relationship between Anne and the Duchess of Marlborough, and is directed by Natalie Abrahami. The title role will be played by Jodhi May (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Sarah, first Duchess of Marlborough is played by Natascha McElhone (Californication /The Truman Show).

Love for Love is Congreve’s glorious Restoration comedy and is being performed for the first time by the RSC. Selina Cadell directs this tale where love for love is stronger than love for money is.

  In the lead up to Christmas theatre lovers will be able to take part in one of the many ‘Events and Activities” in the RST building with the festive production in mind.

Visitors can discover magical fairies and sprites caught in jam jars around the theatre as part of Sprite Symphony, which is an arts installation created by Davy and Kristin McGuire.

In the PACCAR Room, in the theatre, audiences can explore the world of Wendy and Peter Pan through the eyes of artists and illustrators in new exhibition Make-believe: the art of Neverland.

Generations of children and families have been influenced by the many wonderful illustrations that have been part of the story since it was first published, and in this exhibition artists have transformed the story, book and page into new artworks. The exhibition includes work by Paula Rego, Tom Gallant and Béatrice Coron, as well as original costume and stage designs for the RSC production of Wendy and Peter Pan from two years ago.