TO Kill a Mockingbird is not an easy novel to turn into a play.

It is a favourite novel for many and deals with difficult themes. And for actor Daniel Betts taking on the role of literary hero, Atticus Finch, was daunting yet a privilege. The Regent's Park Theatre show is coming to the Wycombe Swan next month.

Christopher Sergel adapted the Harper Lee novel for the stage and it had an extremely successful run at Regent's Park in London, where there were standing ovations every night.

The innovative show is now touring the country.

Daniel, who starred recently in TV's The Crimson Field and is well known in the theatre world, described the show as "an incredible reward."

He takes on the role of Atticus Finch- a measured, intelligent and kind lawyer and the father of the book's narrator, Scout.

He said: "I can't deny- it was rather daunting. It is a funny thing- you know there are people who would say John Barrymore did the best performance of Hamlet in 1933- no-one else need bother.

"But Hamlet continues to be performed at the RSC. No two Hamlet's work will ever be alike as they are both different human beings.

"I think about Gregory Peck as Atticus and the affection the book has, and of Robert Sean Leonard who played Atticus in this production earlier in the year.

"But I have got to go out and do it."

The show has three groups of children who take on the roles of Scout, Jem and Dill. (Rosie Boore from Jackie Palmer Stage School plays Scout in one of the groups).

Daniel said: "There is something wonderful about children. They make you just go, 'How extraordinary you did that.'"

The novel won the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. It deals with the issues of rape and racial inequality and takes place during the Great Depression in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama.

Six-year-old Scout Finch tells the story about how Atticus is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman, Mayella Ewell.

Daniel said: "I think it is of its time. It conjures up a very particular world seen through the eyes of a child.

"It is interesting. It is an adult remembering their memories of being a child. In a way you see the book through the eyes of a seven or eight-year-old but you step back and have the adult behind it."

There is also the infamous character called Boo Radley- a reclusive individual who terrifies the children.

Daniel said: "It is incredibly honest in the way it is written and fun loving.

"It is about having an empathetic view of the world and seeing it from the other person's point of view.

"I suppose for me what is so powerful about this story and is wonderful and imperative and difficult to achieve- if people go away at the end of the evening and think it a wonderful story- isn't it awful what happened in 30s America I feel we would have failed.

"It is still an issue today.

"Hopefully people will come away and feel if I really look at people and imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes the world will become a better place."

The show is very innovative with most of the cast staying on stage throughout- sat on the side reading and they move the props together.

One of the cast, Phil King, also sings the soundtrack on stage, while being part of the action.

Daniel said: "This is what we are trying to create- we are not just sat on the stage but alive and in it and part of it."

The cast were all taught by Majella Hurley and Barbara Hausman to ensure they had believable American accents.

Daniel added: "We are looking forward to coming out to the so-called provinces.

"There is no point having just great theatre in London- I would argue there isn't that much great theatre in London anyway.

"We can't lose our connection with the rest of the country."

To Kill A Mockingbird is on at the Wycombe Swan from November 3 to 8 at 7.30pm with Wed and Sat matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are £19.50 to £31, with a £1.50 booking fee.

To book call go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk or call 01494 512000.