“For a play in which not a lot really happens,” commented my companion as we left Carrie’s War, “an awful lot happens to them.”

Adapted from the popular Nina Bawden novel – if it was published today it would be one of those issued with two covers, to appeal to the adult and children’s markets – and based on her own experiences, this is much more than just two children’s wartime experiences.

As staged by Novel Theatre Company, it’s a exploration of what happens when someone changes worlds; of how people find the courage to cope with seemingly-unbearable situations and to escape from prisons of their own making; of how understanding someone’s motives for something doesn’t make it easier to accept what they have done, and about how guilt can affect you lifelong.

Some of the elements, like Mr Johnny’s disability, are less shocking now than in the original. However, the wonderfully drawn relationships, especially between brothers and sisters, both child and adult, are still true enough to resonate strongly with the audience.

Whatever your relationship with your own siblings, I guarantee this play will mirror them in some way.

The clever set makes the maximum possible use of space and manages to contain essential elements like going down to Druid’s Bottom. The Welsh choruses are an inspired touch – beautiful in their own right and a wonderful way to convey the foreign nature of the evacuee’s experience.

Many of the cast are veterans of the West End production: Brigit Forsyth brought richness and depth to Mrs Gotobed’s loneliness, Lorna Gayle makes Hepzibah a warmer character than I had pictured, while newcomer James Byng’s Nick Willow is a delight, ebullient and effervescent.