Drama lovers in Oxford are being urged to go to the theatre in a giant tent to raise funds for the £15m Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

The hospital, part of the £130m West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital site, has welcomed the support of the Creation Theatre Company, which is staging a special gala charity performance of its Christmas family show, at BMW Group Plant Oxford.

The gala performance of Tales from the Brothers Grimm takes place on Friday, and is being billed as "a Christmas adventure starring Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Red Riding Hood and a tent full of Grimm characters".

Rebecca De La Bedoyere, marketing manager for Creation Theatre Company, said: "We are delighted to be staging this gala performance for Chox and will give half the income on the night to the children's hospital."

The show is a madcap caper through some of the best loved Grimm fairy tales, told in Creation's trademark fast-paced, visual style. It starts at 7.30pm (although the tent is open from 6.30pm) and is billed as being suitable for everyone over five years old.

The children's hospital, which opened in January, treats youngsters from across the UK. The Chox campaign, which is backed by the Oxford Mail, has already raised £13.6m towards a £15m target.

Penny Hambridge, children's development officer at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are very grateful to artistic director David Parrish, and his team at Creation Theatre Company, for their support of the children's hospital. I am looking forward to this special evening in the stunning Mirror Tent. We hope people will join us."

Tales from the Brothers Grimm, which follows Creation's previous Christmas productions A Christmas Carol and Arabian Nights in the Mirror Tent at the BMW plant, runs from November 21 until January 13.

The ornate tent is nearly 100 years old and is reputed to be where Marlene Dietrich sang Falling in Love Again during the 1930s.

Call the theatre company on 01865 766266 or visit www.creationtheatre.co.uk for tickets and information.