Wise Children, one of the last novels by award-winning author Angela Carter, will be brought to the stage as part of a new season of shows at The Old Vic theatre.

It will mark the first production for acclaimed director Emma Rice’s Wise Children, which has been announced as the London theatre’s new company in residence.

The 1991 tale centres on chorus twins Nora and Dora Chance and the effect of their strange theatrical family on their behaviour.

Its opening next year will also coincide with The Old Vic’s bicentenary.

Providing a first home for Wise Children, the venue was also the birthplace of companies including Sadler’s Wells, English National Opera, the Royal Ballet and the National Theatre.

Rice, who was last year appointed director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London, plans to bring a range of creative theatre to the capital as part of the project, and collaborate with other venues on international tours.

She said: “I named my new company Wise Children after Angela Carter’s seminal novel, which is set in south London and is a love letter to theatre.

“This iconic, independent and proudly innovative theatre has hosted Shakespeare and Variety, music and dance alike for almost 200 years and it is the perfect first home for my company and for our first production.

“I am following in extraordinary footsteps and grateful to Matthew Warchus (Old Vic artistic director) and his team for welcoming Wise Children with such brave and open arms.”

Wise Children will become an Arts Council, National Portfolio Organisation for 2018-22 and will be based in the South West.