THE dark and powerful themes in William Golding's celebrated novel Lord of the Flies are explored in Pilot Theatre's award-winning touring production, which arrives at Birmingham's Old Rep Theatre for a short run from Tuesday.

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the novel, the story is set following a plane crash on an uninhabited island and the actions of a group of adolescent schoolboys and their struggle for survival and supremacy.

A spokesman explains: "Golding created an idyllic setting, cut off from the outside world.

"But the island becomes a dark and dangerous place, where dreams become nightmares and the freedom to create a new society becomes the horror of a society without rules or rather a society where the only rule is that the strongest wins."

He added: "Lord of the Flies has a very potent resonance to the world in which we now find ourselves.

"The themes of bullying, power and identity and violence are universal and we can draw contemporary parallels."

Directed by Marcus Romer, the cast includes Matt Conner as Roger, Mitesh Soni as Simon, James Wooldridge as Marcus, Alan Park as Jack with Andrew Falvey, Jesse Inman, James Daley and James Andrews.

Recommended for ages 12 and over, performances at the Station Street venue take place at 1.30pm and 7.30pm from Tuesday until Friday, March 11.

Tickets are £15 (£10 concessions) and are available on 0121 236 4455.