Theatre review: David Almond's 'Clay'

DAVID ALMOND'S 'CLAY'
***
AUGUSTINE'S (VENUE 152)

WE ARE in an indeterminate past, where a gang of children dress in muddy brown clothes and home-knitted jumpers. A bully is terrifying the neighbourhood when a strange misfit boy arrives who appears to have the power to stop him.

This adaptation of David Almond's novel Clay is not afraid to delve into the serious subjects of religion, death, superstition and fear. What begins as a playground drama descends into a terrifying vision of the occult when the newcomer turns out to be a renegade trainee priest with an interest in black magic.

This is the first visit to the Fringe by the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre and the young actors play their parts convincingly and well. While the play is well directed and well designed the attempt to use puppets to show the clay figurines the strange boy attempts to bring to life is not wholly successful. However, this is a haunting story, well told, which would be enjoyed both by adults and by older children.

• Until 24 August. Today 2:45pm