Tim and Light is the second children’s show from Tucked In, following 2007’s lauded Jackajack. In this adventure, which has been touring UK theatres and festivals this summer, a boy called Tim and his cat Light board a train from Brighton that doesn’t make its scheduled stops, and ultimately have to save a girl in a Victorian house.

‘The whole style of the show is based on playing games,’ says writer and director Hal Chambers. ‘The design is extremely creative: a chest of drawers can become a train station, a garden, an artist’s studio and a scary basement. There is lots of visual magic; we use material and objects that we found in our attics to build the world of Tim and Light. I guess we want to play, just like children do in a den.’

The atmospheric show is driven by puppetry and original folk music, and Chambers counts Tim Burton, Hayao Miyazaki and Henry Selick among his many inspirations. But its story is just as distinctive as its style. ‘The play is a meditation on friendship and how we can treat our friends better,’ Chambers says. ‘Tim and Light’s journey is one of great personal discovery and surprises, and we hope that the children will experience a similar journey in watching the story unfold.’

Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–29 Aug (not 13), 12.30pm, £8–£9 (£7–£8). Preview 5 Aug, £5.

Tim and Light 2011 Summer Tour Trailer