THE newly-formed Children’s Touring Partnership has picked a winner with David Wood’s play of Michelle Magorian’s novel about a London evacuee who finds a new life in the country.

The play was performed on a cleverly-designed set to an audience containing a higher than average number of youngsters, some of whom were from Wheatlands School, in Redcar, where they’re studying the Second World War. Either their teachers are very fierce or they were fascinated by the play, because they behaved impeccably.

Some of the principal actors aren’t much older than years five and six – Oliver Tritton Wheeler, who plays William Beech, is 12, and Sam Longmuir as extrovert Zach is about the same age. Both are professional, accomplished and convincing as the two lads from London, as different as chalk and cheese, who become close friends.

Oliver, in particular, is called upon to portray a range of emotions, which he does without going over the top as young actors tend to do.

What an opportunity for these two youngsters to work with actors of the calibre of Oliver Ford Davies as “Mr” Tom Oakley, the gruff recluse who offers evacuee William a temporary home out of duty. A National Theatre and RSC veteran, Davies makes the role his own.

A special mention for skilled puppeteer Laura Cubitt, who brings to life designer Toby Olie’s dog puppet Sam.

A children’s story for grownups, or a grown-up story for children? You be the judge.

• Until Saturday. Box office 01325-486555 and online darlingtonarts.co.uk

Sue Heath