This year it's called Escape! and mixes the current issue of bullying with a piece of Sheffield history.

The musical comedy to be performed next week by Year 6 pupils is set in a Sheffield school which on the surface is cosily reassuring – polite children, caring teachers, supportive parents.

Beneath that veneer, though, lurks the ugly spectre of bullying.

The story follows the experiences of Kevin, a quiet, thoughtful boy.

Shunned by his classmates, he finds solace through his interest in the great escapologist, Harry Houdini, whose appearance in Sheffield in 1902 is recreated in the play.

"Houdini is a fascinating character," says Norman.

"His approach to challenges is an inspiration to us all."

He introduced the issue of bullying because he believes it is relevant to all children and based Kevin on a boy he taught about 30 years ago who had a big thing about Harry Houdini.

Escape! is the fifth play he has written for Coit Primary School children, but the first not to be performed as part of Sheffield Children's Festival.

"We loved performing in the Crucible Studio," he explains, "and we were devastated when we heard that it was to be closed for refurbishment.

"So we decided very early on to perform the next play in our school hall.

"We're trying to make it as close to the experience of a real theatre as possible."

Performances of Escape!" at Coit Primary School, Park Avenue, Chapeltown are on Wednesday to Friday at 7pm.

Call 0114 2468710 for tickets.