A PRODUCTION of Harper Lee’s classic 1960 novel on race in early 20th century America wowed audiences at Bath Theatre Royal.

Direct from a sell-out season in London, Regent’s Park Theatre’s acclaimed staging of To Kill a Mockingbird arrived at Bath as the new season opens at Bath.

This production, starring Daniel Betts as Atticus Finch and Zackary Momoh as Tom Robinson took the audience on a journey back in time to the deep south of America to watch a family struggle against the mainstream perception of the difference between white and black.

The play never loses touch with its literary past, its many narrators surrounding the action at all times with books held open, stepping into the light to read passages in-between scenes.

The affect of this means the audience is constantly reminded of the pages from where the work was drawn, perhaps to many, and certainly in my case, providing a flashback to youth where the book was first encountered.

Then, just as one would end up submerged within the Gothic text, the action takes over and we hear not just the words of the novel but are there with Atticus and Scout, Gem and Dill, and the surrounding characters that make up the small southern town.

Daniel Betts gives a stand out performance as Atticus, capturing the strong, wise determination that Gregory Peck brought to the screen in the book’s famous adaptation.

He is supported by the children playing Scout, Gem and Dill, roles shared by a variety of youngsters as the show toured.

It is a worry, of course, anticipating children attempting Southern American accents, but their astonishing performances made one leave these worries at the door.

The way the three kids carry themselves about the stage is incredibly natural, the way they sit on the floor, play hopscotch or lean lazily on the balcony while in court embodies the natural childlike innocence required of them.

The famous court scenes have an impact like a punch. The audience sits in place of the jury and Atticus directs his dignified but emotional plea to consider that all men are created equal when brought into a court of law right at those watching.

All in all this was a staggering production, and key to its power is its closeness to the book, its ability to remind you of the first time you flipped through its pages and read its incredible story.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday, January 12, to Saturday, January 17.  Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.