Family magic

It's the story of a 10-year-old going through a major family crisis when he finds something very strange in their old garage. What follows is scary, funny and life-affirming in an unsentimental way. One critic describes the show as 'exercising every muscle of the imagination', which I rather wish I'd written.

The production is yet another example of the special touch BSC brings to children's shows. I always find it odd that the company seems to be lauded far more outside Brum for the excellence of its work - Skellig transfers to London in November - and the words 'prophet' and 'own country' spring to mind.

The show is directed by Phil Clark, who made such a fine job of Roald Dahl's Danny the Champion of the World for BSC which toured the UK extensively after its Christmas season at The Old Rep two years ago.

Iain Ridley, who starred to great acclaim in Both Danny Champion of the World and the boy hero in Kensuke's Kingdom, will play Michael and the title role will be taken by Neal Foster, BSC's actor/manager. Also in the cast - and playing instruments - is the multi-talented Nick Wayland Evans, a member of Only Men Aloud, winners of the BBC Last Choir Standing competition. He's composed the music for this version of Skellig.

Author David Almond has a new book out next month, Jackdaw Summer.

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