John Steinbeck’s controversial classic novella Of Mice and Men is given an assured outing in this new stage adaptation appearing at Bath’s Theatre Royal until Saturday, May 6.

A story of enduring friendship in the face of the 1930s American Great Depression, the production opened this spring at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is currently on tour.

Directed by Birmingham Rep Associate Director, Iqbal Khan, the play focuses a contemporary lens on Steinbeck’s tale of the crumbling American Dust Bowl dream.

George and Lennie are displaced migrant ranch workers in search of a better life, a place where they can belong, where the autistic and childlike Lennie feels safe and George can better himself.

When the friends take a job on Curley’s farm in the hope of raising enough money to buy a 10-acre farm of their own, tragedy unfolds, leading to a heart-breaking decision.

Written more than 80 years ago, but with themes of economic migration, racism, prejudice and exclusion, Of Mice and Men remains a parable for our times in the face of the current cost-of-living crisis and economic hardship.

It's fair to say that the two main characters of George (Tom McCall) and Lennie (Wiliam Young) carry the show.

Wiliam is an actor with learning difficulties and gives a hugely affecting and sensitive performance as the dim-witted Lennie, whose immense strength is a useful asset for back-breaking ranch work but ultimately becomes his downfall.  

Tom McCall also gives a powerfully contained performance as George, whose dreams of owning his own farm crumble in the heat of the Californian dust bowl.

There are also nice supporting performances by Simon Darwen as Slim, and Maddy Hill as Curley’s wife, who knows her beauty is her power and uses it to flirt with the ranch hands and make her husband jealous.

The ensemble cast also includes Edward Judge as Carlson, Reece Pantry as the African-American Crooks, Stuart Qigley as Whit, Lee Ravbitz as Candy, Riad Richie as Curley and James Clyde as Boss.

Understudy and ensemble member Jake Benson is the puppeteer handling Candy’s dog, who is shot by Carlson because it is old, blind, and lame.

I must also commend the lighting and set design by Ciaran Bagnall, the costumes by Kay Wilton, and the sound and music composition by Elizabeth Purnell.

To book tickets call the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk