Broken Biscuits: Live Theatre, Newcastle

IN Tom Wells’ latest play the garden shed – designed to perfection by Lily Arnold – provides the homely comfort and perfect retreat for the three lost 16-year-old souls at its centre. With GCSEs over, and only the prospect of sixth form college to look forward to, they must occupy themselves through the long summer months. Luckily for them, Megan, who has the energy and subtlety of a force ten gale, is also determined that they should focus their time and energies on forming a band. The fact that she can’t drum, Ben has barely mastered one chord on the guitar, and Holly is hardly more proficient on the flute, is beside the point.

In James Grieve’s detailed production, Faye Christall imbues Megan with just the right level of cajoling leadership and demented percussive energy, while quiet Holly and her IT geekiness is played with a subtle touch by Grace Hogg-Robinson. Andrew Reed’s sensitive Ben, uncertain whether to do textiles or "caring stuff", completes the trio.

My only regret is that we learned so little about the lives of the characters outside of the shed. It became difficult to empathise with them fully because we had to take so much at face value. However, the play clearly had resonance with the young people in the audience who greeted it enthusiastically on opening night. And a new play by Tom Wells is always a welcome event.

* Runs until Saturday, October 22. Box Office: 0191-232-1232 or live.org.uk

Laurence Sach