BENJI Davies's award-winning children's book has been adapted for stage life by Engine House Theatre director Matt Aston in a 50-minute show for five to eight year olds that is playing York in half-term week.

Engine House have toured previously with Flat Stanley and Red Riding Hood, and there was not a seat left empty at the early afternoon show your reviewer attended, the Studio full of excited children and mums and dads familiar with the story.

Aston's production is built around the storytelling prowess and chemistry of Marcus Knibbs' hearty, nautical-bearded Grandad and Adam Ryan's inquisitive Syd, a boy with a head full of imagination and wonder.

In a nutshell, Syd’s favourite person in the whole wide world is Grandad; likewise Grandad’s favourite person is Syd. Grandad has a lifetime of adventures behind him; Syd has all his in front of him, and Grandad wants to set them in motion. This is exactly what Grandads should do, and you wish the show was as magical as what these co-narrators describe, but there is rather more description than exciting action as they make their way to Grandad's Island.

The world of the island jungle is created with projections on Barney George's set, but it doesn't have a wow factor and Julian Butler's sound design needs filling with more evocative sound. There are moments of gentle humour, usually involving Grandad's wayward sense of where they are, and more would be welcome.

The young audience members play their part, making suggestions to Grandad and Syd as to what course of action they should take, or informing Syd of Grandad's whereabouts, but in truth this is a somewhat plain show, too repetitive in its circular movement, not sufficiently adventurous or imaginative.

Grandad's Island, Engine House Theatre, York Theatre Royal Studio, 1.30pm and 6pm, Friday; 11am and 1.30pm, Saturday. Box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk