HERE is a show that will run and run as this Pilot Theatre production plays York before setting off on a UK tour.

You have to admire the stamina of leading actor Elliot Barnes-Worrell, who is required not just to act and speak his character’s inner thoughts, but do it while running.

He will be running on stage on a specially-constructed six metres treadmill an estimated 3,000 metres during each performance.

He manages both – the running and the acting – convincingly.

You may get out of breath watching him, but that is not something that worries him.

Director Marcus Romer is working again with writer Roy Williams after Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads, setting Alan Sillitoe’s short story against the background of two London events – the 2012 Olympics and 2011 riots.

Young offenders’ institution inmate Colin Smith is given the chance to run in a longdistance race, part of a government-funded scheme.

During the race, he reflects on what has happened in his life, events brought to life as Lydia Denno’s set opens up to get inside his head.

Both his home world (conflict with his mother’s new boyfriend) and prison life (more conflict, with inmates who control fellow offenders with threats and violence) offer glimpses of stories familiar from many other tales of urban angst.

But the 90-minute production, played without an interval, is staged brilliantly to overcome characters and situations which, in other hands, could seem mere cliches.

Performances are raw and energetic, notably Barnes- Worrell, who doesn’t put a foot out of place as the angry young runner.

  • Until Sept 29. Box office 01904-623568 and online yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
  • Touring to Durham Gala Theatre, Oct 9-13. Box office 0191-3324041 and online galadurham.co.uk