WHEN London boy Scott arrives at his new comprehensive in Scratchley he is as keen as anyone to make new friends.
He is drawn to Martha, a girl who is relentlessly bullied by her classmates, who call her 'Raggedy-Ann' because of her home-made clothes and make fun because she goes to church and her family does not own a TV or computer.
Martha is terribly lonely - her parents belong to a strict religious sect and don't let her bring any friends home.
Worse still, her father beats her - and, in the cellar, there
is a howling creature called Abomination, who Martha must care for.
The Nuffield Theatre First group brought this thought-provoking piece of children's theatre to The Old Laundry at Bowness.
The subject matter might sound grim, but the lively performances from just three actors, who took on all the varied roles, plus some terrific direction on a sparse but versatile set, meant this was an engaging and moving drama.
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