Civic Theatre, Tallaght

This Theatre Lovett/Ark production is being remounted as part of the Reviewed strand of the Dublin Theatre Festival, and is a welcome Irish addition to the international family programme.

The ingredients in Lynne Parker’s production are as simple as the premise for Finnegan Kruckemeyer’s story, which pits young heroine Peggy O’Hegarty against an evil villain. There is a playful script, which probes serious issues in a reassuring format and leaves room for young audience members to interact. There is an inventive set by Paul O’Mahoney, beginning as a mystery of stacked boxes but revealing itself as an integral aspect of the storytelling. And there is an excellent performance from Louis Lovett, who demonstrates an energising versatility in this one-man show, using song, mime, physical comedy and an impressive array of self-generated sound effects to create the various characters Peggy encounters on her journey. A third-class group were thrilled to shake hands with their hero as they left; not Peggy, but Lovett, who captured their attention for a full 55 minutes, even if he never delivered on promises of gore.

Until October 10th, The Ark; October 14th-15th, Draíocht Arts Centre; followed by a national tour