THIS adaptation of Ian Serrailler’s classic tale of a Polish family torn apart by war and the epic journey undertaken by the children across post-war Europe to find their parents was large in scale and ambition with 84 speaking parts and a cast of 21.

By necessity scenes were short and rapidly changing, yet this added to the dynamic flow of the story: the strength of the narrative was compelling enough. Great use of effects, projected film and music lent atmosphere to the dramatic storytelling, which had an almost operatic quality at times.

The piece was anchored by a strong performance by Megan O’Hanlon as Ruth, the eldest of the three children and surrogate mother figure. Kristian Fraser was compelling as Jan, the orphan, who joined the others on their journey, and who was the possessor of the penknife, the silver sword of the title.