As a pupil in Highgate, Jessica Elisa Boyd used to walk past the Gatehouse pub on her way to school.
Now the actor and mum-of-three is staging her first play at the pub theatre - a musical adaptation of Bonny Becker's children's book A Birthday For Bear.
Featuring audience interaction, puppetry, original songs by Eamon O'Dwyer, and a few 'magical surprises' the show premieres this month Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
Aimed at infant school ages, it is directed by Boyd, who now lives in Turnpike Lane: "I grew up at the top of Hampstead Lane and walked past the Gatehouse on my way to Channing School every day, so it is nice the show is on there," she said.
It was while spending time in LA with her actor husband Philip Battley that she discovered the book in the local library.
"My daughters and I thought it was hilarious and much fuller than many books you see adapted for the stage, it would properly fill 45 minutes."
With children aged nine, eight and three, Boyd is currently understudying the lead role of Veronica in The Hills of California in the West End - which left her time to work on her own show.
Boyd has worked as a professional musician and actor for two decades appearing in West End musicals, and Shakespeare, as well as writing three short award-winning films - but this is her first play.
She said: "I've only written original stories for film before so this is slightly daunting but mostly exciting."
The adaptation has the blessing of the Canadian author for her story about "a bear who is a curmudgeonly loner, and a mouse who is impossibly excited about everything."
"Mouse keeps turning up delivering balloons and presents trying to get bear to celebrate his birthday. Bear gets increasingly cross until he shouts at her and she gives up and leaves."
But then there's a huge cake on Bear's doorstep and he can't resist taking it in.
"Mouse pops out of the cake and they all have a party. It is joyful and funny and has a sweet, inclusive message about friendship, persistence, and the importance of trying new things - with bear finally yielding to being loved."
Keen that children who might not otherwise see live theatre can enjoy the show, she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to offer free tickets to children eligible for school meals, and half price tickets to state school groups.
"I wrote to 130 schools in Camden, Haringey and Islington and got a lovely response from across London," she says.
"Quite a few have taken up the offer, including a deaf school in Highgate who are bringing their own interpreter.
"I went to a private school, my father was an artist, and I had music tuition, and so much opportunity to take part in the arts.
"But they are massively undervalued in terms of children's education and schools like my children's don't have much money or cultural provision so I wanted to encourage as many children as possible to come and enjoy a trip to the theatre."
A Birthday For Bear runs from May 21 to June 9, Upstairs at The Gatehouse.
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