I LOVE everything that Michael Morpurgo has ever done and if he ever designs clothes, I shall wear them from head to toe.

So it was with great expectations that I saw Farm Boy, the tale of Grandpa going off to the First World War in search of his beloved farm horse Joey, and then being taught to write by his grandson.

This is the sequel to War Horse, which is getting amazing reviews in the West End. Here, in the west end of Darlington, the performance has a simple charm.

With only a tractor, albeit a 100-year-old Fordson, on stage, the acting duo of John Walters (grandpa) and Matt Powell (his grandson) take us on a journey, across a generation gap and down Memory Lane, telling the story of Joey and the ploughing contest with a tractor like two old pals in a local country pub.

At times, their relationship is poignant and their closeness is almost tangible as they finish each other’s sentences, pat backs and hug.

With a wooden chair standing in for a horse, Farm Boy really is improvisation at its best. Powell is especially versatile, taking on the role of grandpa’s bolshy wife and the chubby farmer with the tractor, a new invention that’s revolutionising the farming world.

With a question and answer session afterwards, it becomes clear this is a play for all ages – with older people remembering the changes in the countryside, while youngsters are mesmerised with the enthusiastic story-telling.

My theatre partner, Jack, aged ten and well-versed in all things Morpurgo, gave it an eight out of ten, which is high praise indeed, especially on an evening when Newcastle United are on TV at home.

Christine Fieldhouse