Some children's stories transcend childhood and mean as much to adults as they do to children. They can mean something different, even something more. Philippa Pearce's tale of young Tom is one such story. Tom is unwillingly sent to stay with his childless aunt and uncle because of his brother's measles, but finds that his quarantine turns into a liberating adventure when he slips back in time and meets the isolated Victorian girl Hatty. Like Peter Pan, this is as much about the aching loss of childhood as it is about growing up and finding your own place in the garden.
Tony Graham's production for the Unicorn Theatre captures both the loss and the wonder of childhood. After an initial choppiness, the production develops into a seamless whole, and past and present collide in the hall of Mrs Bartholomew's house as Tom hears the clock strike 13.
A lot of the success of this quality stage adaptation comes from Russell Craig's ingenious design, which lends the production its necessary fluidity, allowing for time to dissolve, the house to turn to garden and Tom to pass through solid walls. At its best there are moments when this piece of theatre makes you shiver and look for the ghosts all around you.
As is often the case with Graham's work, there is a genuine sense of release and resolution, as well as some wonderful stage pictures. It is a tribute to the actors that the adults playing children pretty soon make you forget that they are really grown-up. One of the great things about the evening is the way it does something rare - shows us the intimate relationship between the very young and the very old.
At the very least, this production will engender an interest in time, but it is just as likely to make children see the wonder of live performance. Most of all, it is a production for the over-eights to share with adults. It is a close-run thing as to whether you or your child will enjoy it more.
Funding bodies are currently debating the Unicorn's plans to create a purpose-built children's theatre in central London. With this production, the company couldn't have come up with a better reason for being given the dosh straight away.
Ends tonight. Box office: 020-7242 7040. Then touring to Brighton and around Britain until June 2.
