SPIES, by Michael Frayn, is a well written and supremely well acted piece of theatre that captures the endearing naivety of childhood.
It's also the kind of production that will appeal to a younger audience - say 12 and over - while at the same time treating them like they have more than a modicum of intelligence.
The engrossing, funny and in places touching story revolves around Stefan, now an old man, who takes us back to his wartime childhood. We're back in the days when kids used to make dens, scrape their knees and fire catapults at next door's cat.
Stefan, or Stephen as he was then, and his best friend Keith become obsessed with the notion that Keith's mum, a nice, milk and biscuits type, is spying for the Germans. While the reality of the situation is far more poignant. All is revealed in act two, as is the reason for Stephen's name change.
Performances are exceptional, particularly from Derek Frood as Stefan, Benjamin Warren as Stephen and John Paul MacLeod as Keith. Poor Keith needn't worry about Hitler invading England - he's already here in the shape of his tyrannical father. Yes, we're in the days when naughty boys risked a belt across the backside.
This is a hugely enjoyable play and it works brilliantly in the Lowry's Quays Theatre. It's two hours 15 minutes with an interval - and the time flew.
Don't miss it. Rick Bowen
* Until Saturday. The box office is on 0870 111 2000.
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