THIS stage adaptation of Newcastle-born David Almond’s book is a corker.

From the amazing morphing set designed by Alison Ashton, to the outstanding performances, music by Ken Patterson, lighting, image projection, sound effects arranged by Kevin James, it works.

It's not easy to adapt Almond’s books, they are so full of light and dark themes, inner and exterior landscapes but this production gets hold of the heart of the novel.

Three teens: Erin Law (Natalie Ann Jamieson), January Carr (Lawrence Neale) and Mouse Gullane (Robert Nicholson) escape from a Care Home, which is out of step with their dreams and aspirations, on a raft made out of an old door – great performances by these three actors.

Towards the mouth of the Tyne they come a cropper on the Black Middens, a rock formation renowned for scuppering boats.

There they discover, Grampa (talented Paddy Burton) and Heaven Eyes (an outstanding performance by Swedish actress, Maria Lindh), living a strange, almost surreal existence, mainly living off pickings found on the Middens.

The question is, do these two strangers offer them hope, danger or more disappointment? In this final part of the play, a symbolic, holy man puppet is breathtaking.

Themes of loss, disenchantment and hope run through the performance and full marks to director John Cobb for an engaging, strongly paced production.

The audience was primarily made up of kids from primary schools, some teens and adults, all of whom were entirely engaged with the play.

Jamie Gibson