Maeve Ingoldsby has, over some years now, developed a winning approach - not a formula or blueprint - for writing plays for children, typically those aged about six to 10. At the centre, there is often a young outsider struggling to comprehend society as represented by parents, friends, siblings and authority figures. These are all threaded through a credible story with a representative ring to it.
Kevin's Story is a good example. The central character is a juvenile Walter Mitty, a fantasist unintentionally at odds with those around him. As Kevin daydreams, he forgets the rules of the game, the lists of dos and don'ts, and is regarded variously as a malingerer and accident-prone misfit. His sister and friends slag him, and the class bully pays him special attention.
The hour-long tale sees Kevin, with the help of a school caretaker, known as Slow Joe, find a path through the tunnel and light at the end of it. A crucial corner is turned and, if it's not exactly happy-ever-after for him - he is undeniably a messer - life is now manageable. It is all very funny and entirely credible.
Philip Hardy directs for Barnstorm with an open touch that makes full use of Moggy Douglas's flexible set design: a few ladders, planks and some large blocks. Over and through them scamper the lively cast of Niall Power, Eva Bartley, Jennifer Barry, Peter Daly, David McCorry and Patrick Bridgeman. The delighted squeals of a packed house were the appropriate tribute to their efforts.
Runs until February 15th, (to book tel. 056-61674). Then tours to Rialto Theatre, Derry, February 22nd-23rd (048- 71260516); Backstage, Longford, February 26th-March 1st (043-47888); Civic Theatre, Tallaght, March 5th-9th (01- 4627477); Gaiety, Dublin, March 13th-16th (01-6792527); Hawk's Well, Sligo, March 21st-23rd (071-61526); Everyman Palace, Cork, March 26th/27th (021-4501673); Dunamaise, Portlaoise, March 29th-30th (0502-63355); Belltable, Limerick, April 2nd-5th (061-319866); Mullingar Arts Centre, April 9th-11th (044-47777).