It is not often I am moved to tears by a theatre production, but the English Touring Theatre’s performance of The Grapes Of Wrath had me thanking my lucky stars that my husband remembered to bring his handkerchief, which I borrowed and used liberally throughout.

The story follows the fortunes of the Joads, a family of tenant farmers from Oklahoma, whose homestead is demolished by the bank after poor crops affect their yield. Hammered by nature and squeezed by industry, the dozen or so members of the Joad family clamber into their old jalopy and travel to California in the hope of finding steady work. Dreams of a better future propel them forward, while simple, spare Woodie Guthrie lyrics bring out the poetry of the Joad family’s exuberant, colourful exchanges.

Wrenching, poignant, funny and moving, the production is masterful on such a number of levels that it’s difficult to know where to begin. Special mention must be made of the set design, which transforms the stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse into dustbowl America, complete with endless stretches of highway and threadbare shantytowns.

When the family stop by a river for a much-needed wash, the sound of rushing water is so refreshing that I could feel the coolness of it on their hot, tired, grimy skin.

There is a profound dignity at the heart of this production. One of the many impressive things about it is the level of subtlety and nuance achieved with each character, despite the large size of the cast.

The audience is not casually informed of a character’s traits and left to observe the ensuing action: as with Uncle John’s drinking, we understand why he drinks, what drove him to it, and we are witness to the tragedy that underlay his comic ranting.

The superb acting of Sorcha Cusack in the role of Ma Joad is worth the price of ticket entry alone – as the elemental forces of Nature, Man and Industry conspire to ravage her family, her immutable strength, humour and kindness is nothing short of heart-breaking. Damian O’Hare, as Tom Joad, radiates magnetic charisma and old-fashioned masculinity, while Oliver Cotton is excellent as Jim Casy, the preacher who has lost his faith in God but not his faith in humanity. This intelligent, moving production deserves high praise indeed and though emotionally gruelling, its celebration of the endurance of the human spirit left me uplifted and deeply impressed.

- Catherine Marcus