YOU’RE not scared of the dark are you? Big boys and girls like you?” So asked one of the storytellers of the audience, as we stood around on the darkened stage of the Theatre Royal immersed in the action, assailed by sounds, and listened to her haunting tale of love and loss, of conflict and ghosts that continue to haunt the earth.

Director Ryan Jones had created an atmospheric piece, affecting, dynamic, fast moving, despite the occasional mis-step, and performed with intensity and conviction.

The scenes between the two tribes and in particular the tragic lovers, had real impact. The interaction of the three kritters – landkritter, treekritter and waterkritter – was touching and deftly done.

Natassia Green’s designs were a triumph of imagination, adding not just much needed colour but nuance and meaning to the storytelling.

This was storytelling at its best, but perhaps not for the faint hearted.