THE Thorn Birds is one of the most iconic books of modern times. First printed in the late 1970s, Colleen McCullough’s blockbuster novel has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

It reached an even wider audience when it became the most iconic TV mini series of the 80s, starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.

Set in the rugged Australian outback, three generations of the Cleary family live through joy and sadness, bitter defeat and magnificent triumph – driven by their dreams, sustained by remarkable strength of character and torn apart by dark passions and a scandalous family legacy of forbidden love.

The pivotal character is the family’s daughter Meghan, a strong willed character who grows from girlhood to maturity and endures a turbulent life shot through by her forbidden love for the ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart.

Now, after three decades, the book has been transferred to the stage, not just as a play – but as a musical, directed by Michael Bogdanov and with a soundtrack written by acclaimed German composer Gloria Bruni.

There has even been some direct input from the author.

The roles of Meghan and Ralph are played by Helen Anker and Matthew Goodgame – and both are revelling in the chance of getting their teeth into such substantial parts.

Helen, who has enjoyed a varied career in the West End, explained: “It is a daunting piece to do because the book is loved by so many.

“I loved the television series when I was young and remember bits of it so clearly. It is one of those stories that people feel proprietary about because it has been a part of their lives.”

Despite the music – which Helen insists isn’t at all ‘cheesy’ – the play stays faithful to the book with many integral parts remaining, such as Meghan’s ‘ashes of roses’ dress and the eventual seaside consummation of the passion between the two lead characters.

“That scene is quite short and we are singing at the time and it works very well,” said Helen, “I fell in love with Richard Chamberlain, who played Ralph in the TV series, and I am very lucky in this role because I get to kiss some gorgeous men!”

The Thorn Birds – A Musical is at Lighthouse in Poole from Tuesday to Saturday, April 14 to 18 at 7.30pm, with 2.30 matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets are £22.50 for evening shows, £18.50 for the matinees from 0844 406 8666 and lighthousepoole.co.uk