The Orange Tree Theatre's artistic director Paul Miller has enjoyed further success, with one of his inaugural season's hits transferring to the National Theatre.

Alistair McDowall's Pomona began life at the Richmond playhouse earlier this year to rave reviews and will now be taken to a wider audience.

It will play at the National Theatre in September, followed by a run at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Mr Miller said: "I’m thrilled that Ali’s play will be seen by many more people on the South Bank and in Manchester, in Ned Bennett’s quite brilliant production.

"New work is the lifeblood of any theatre, and more than 4,800 people saw this audacious and original piece of theatre in Richmond."

Another production The Distance, which starred Helen Baxendale, also will enjoy an extended life as it returns to the Orange Tree in November, following a run at Sheffield's Crucible Studio.