Tucked away in the attic of the Bedford Pub in Balham, a loveable reimagining of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved children’s novel is taking place. Undoubtedly Theatre N16 is a brilliant choice of venue for tonight’s performance, its intimacy lending itself well as we are absorbed into the tale of one remarkable little girl’s plight.

Cleverly directed and confidently executed A Little Princess follows the story of Sara Crewe (Izzie Price), a young girl sent to a prestigious ‘Seminary For Girls’ by her loving father until his untimely death, leaving her penniless and very much at the whim of the school’s malicious and miserly headmistress, Miss Minchin (Louisa Mathieu).

This is very much storytelling for enjoyment’s sake as the company invite us to glimpse into the dark underbelly of a world of dancing frocks, “papas” and cricket at Eton. The play moves along at a steady pace to begin with, capturing a real sense of wonder in its telling. As a gateway into excitement and adventure in the face of adversity (one that we often lose at a certain age) the production rightly refuses to shy away from the emphatic hysteria and hyperbole of young imaginations. Price’s adaptation is a confident one overall, albeit one with a rather hasty ending that somewhat diminishes the gravity of little Sara’s sufferings.

The cast work extremely well as an ensemble, engaging the audience throughout with choral work, song and puppetry (a particular highlight being a rather inquisitive rat). The scenes and settings seamlessly flow between one another that there was rarely any need for the blackboard sat upstage upon which the location is written. Price’s Sarah is a delight as both pauper and princess, wholly encapsulating the somehow wise and exuberant innocence of childhood that is forever battling Mathieu’s spitefully stern Miss Minchin. Elsewhere India Footer’s meaning-well but frustratingly aloof Ermengarde provides the show with some beautiful, light-hearted comedy.

A Little Princess is a dramatic and engaging adaptation of a children’s novel now made accessible for all ages. There is a genuine warmth on stage tonight in a difficult (and sometimes unwieldy) story about hope and wonder than transcends wealth and class. As the house lights come up the cast announce that they are collecting for The Little Princess Trust and, instead of seeming cheeky, it is nice to see that the sense of giving and generosity, so readily instilled throughout tonight’s showing, does not end at the curtain call.

A Little Princess is playing Theatre N16 until 7 July 2016. For more information and tickets, see the Theatre N16 website.