Carrie's War: Theatre Royal, Bath

NINA Bawden's award-winning novel about a girl evacuee from war-torn London to the cold, dark Welsh valleys is transposed to the stage by Emma Reeves adaptation with a tender touch of nostalgia.

In this engaging production, evocatively directed by Andrew Loudon, Carrie Willow and her younger brother Nick are billeted with the Evanses. He is a "cold, hard mean" bully with clicking teeth and a bellowing voice. His warm-hearted sister, Lou, is his downtrodden housekeeper.

The children find solace in the home of another Evans sister, Mrs Gotobed, and her jovial housekeeper Hepzibah, where their friend Albert has been placed.

A family feud, a ghostly curse, the arrival of American soldiers and some wild childish imaginings entice the children into an intriguing adventure. But the production's perfectly created staging, thanks to Edward Lipscomb's realistic set and some powerful Welsh singing, make the atmosphere even more powerful than the story.

The children are played by adult actors and there is strength in depth from a cast of thirteen. Sion Tudor Owen is bear-like as the bombast Evans, Brigit Forsyth suitably genteel as the rich widow Mrs Gotobed and Hannah Waterman ideal as the nervous Auntie Lou.

But the standout performances come from James Byng who is excellent as Carrie's impish young brother and Lorna Gayle who dazzles as the irrepressible, cuddly Hepzibah Green.

This delightful presentation continues until Saturday, with tickets priced from £15.50 to £31.50. Telephone 01225 448844 for details.

7/10

ALAN KING