THE childhood of Laurie Lee unfolds in a series of "pictures", accompanied by glorious dialogue.

James Stevens excels in the Nonentities' production as the young Laurie (Loll), the actor always making his presence on stage felt, and showing much promise for the future.

As the slightly scatty mother, Sandy Tudor is impressive, bringing out the various feelings of love, worry, optimism and nostalgia very well.

Unfortunately, as the narrator, the adult Lee, the usually reliable Hugh Meredith, though reading his lines, faltered occasionally on the opening night of the play, indeed having to be prompted once.

He appeared under-rehearsed, sometimes getting the rhythm of the dialogue wrong, but I am sure this will improve as the week progresses.

It is worth a visit to the Rose to see this well-directed production, which will transport you back to unspoiled village life until it crumbled as "the buses ran and the town was nearer".

VJS.