The new season will open in September with Kes, the moving stage adaptation of Barry Hine’s novel, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Pupils from Childwall School, Halewood College and St John Boscoe, in Croxteth, will join a professional cast in the show, directed by Nikolai Foster.

Playhouse artistic director Gemma Bodinetz says Foster was thrilled to be a part of the production. She said: “When we asked him to direct it, he almost broke down crying because of all the plays in the world this is his favourite. He has always felt a connection with the story and, he says, has always had a production of Kes in his soul.”

Touring productions include National Theatre co-production The Black Album, based on Hanif Kuresihi’s acclaimed novel; the BFG; a stage version of Spike Milligan’s memoire Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall.

Comedians Daniel Kitson and Stewart Lee, co-writer of Jerry Springer the Opera, will also be performing one-night shows.

Public booking for the season, which includes the Everyman’s famous rock ’n’ roll panto – this year Dick Whittington – opens on Monday, July 6.