A JOURNEY of a lifetime sailing around the world with his parents becomes a voyage of discovery for Michael when he is washed overboard and finds himself in Kensuke's Kingdom.

Stockton-born Iain Ridley, convincingly playing a youngster, believes he is alone on a Pacific island apart from his dog Stella Artois (Anna Drayson, who without speaking a word makes a popular presence felt). Hungry and thirsty, Michael finds he has been left food and water by the elderly Kensuke.

Ozzie Yue gives a touching portrayal of the 75-year-old, marooned towards the end of the Second World War. Believing his family died at Nagasaki, he has no desire to leave the island.

The growing friendship between the old man and the boy is perfectly performed and their ultimate parting is poignant as Michael is torn between his desire to stay with Kensuke and wanting to go back to his parents (Julia Hickman and Mark Carleton).

The Birmingham Stage Company delivers a huge amount of excitement and adventure in an action-packed hour and 20 or so minutes. The stunning set is ingenious, turned seamlessly by the actors during the confusion of Michael's disappearance from yacht to island.

This is a superb adaptation, true to the story and the spirit of Michael Morpurgo's acclaimed book. When asked which part of it he liked, an eight-year-old in the audience said: "Everything''.

Catch it before it leaves for its next port of call.

* Until Saturday. Box Office: (01325) 486555.

Published: 09/03/2006