POOOOO, this Skellig person is a right minger: his breath stinks, he eats spiders and mice and has a bad temper.

Gateshead-born David Almond’s story about Skellig, an arthritic, winged creature, was published in 1998. It beat Harry Potter to win the coveted Whitbread Children’s Book Award, last year was turned into an opera and this year into a TV film.

Ten-year-old Michael, played by the excellent Dean Logan, from Tyneside, discovers Skellig (Neal Foster) in the garage of the new family home, a dilapidated house shared with his dad and mum, who gives birth to a premature baby when they move in.

Michael is stressed by the move, his new school and even more so with worry about his seriously-ill baby sister.

Things change, however, when Michael discovers Skellig in the crumbling garage. He lets his friend, Mina (Charlotte Sanderson), in on the secret and the adventure begins.

There is an intrinsic link between the baby fighting for her life and the disconsolate and pained Skellig, whom Michael saves by feeding him Chinese takeaways and Newcastle Brown Ale.

Michael’s love gives Skellig the will to live and through him he can help his sister.

A more intimate setting would have made this more enjoyable – Skellig, at the back of the stage, was too far removed from the proceedings – but the terrific company of ten, including multi-role actors and musicians, make this ensemble piece a pleasant experience.

■ Ends today. Tickets 0844-493-9999.

Ed Waugh