O-Region's latest production has had a lot of advance publicity, much of it national, which along with a solid local reputation has put a lot of bums on seats at Redruth’s Regal Theatre. Expectations were high for this sell-out show in Cornwall’s West End, and rightly so.

White Horse is based on a short story by peerless children’s author Michael Morpurgo; was adapted and directed by Simon Harvey, whose production of Price & Prejudice (Sort Of) won the Best Comedy award at the Oliviers; and stars some of Cornwall’s top acting talent, including Mary Woodvine (Bait, Enys Men), Edward Rowe (Kernow King, Bait) and Chloe Endean (Long Way Back).

Add puppetry reminiscent of War Horse and original live music by the musicians behind People’s String Foundation, and that’s a lot of promise packed into a couple of hours.

The story: teenager Annie Veluna has been sent against her will to spend the summer with her estranged father on the family farm in remote, weather-beaten Zennor. There’s nothing to do, no one to do it with and – worst of all – there's no phone signal.

Her father, Arthur, is preoccupied with saving the farm from ruin in the hope of handing it down to city girl Annie, who has no interest in it – or so she thinks. Through myth and legend, the power of an open heart and the magic of the sea, Annie discovers Zennor has has more to offer her – and she to it – than she could ever have realised.

The source material has been updated to resonate with 21st century values: Chloe Endean, as Annie, is somewhat preoccupied with the lack of online connection to the outside world, which will be identifiable to any teenager (and a few older folk too).

As well as taking on numerous roles (including a superbly patronising bank adviser), Rachel Leonard shines as chief puppeteer, bringing to luminous life an injured chough, a lively sheepdog, a little boy and the titular white equine.

As Sam Trelochie, Edward Rowe is a comic foil with a complex past. His scene-changing musical numbers were especially popular – Daughter even spotted a nod to Taylor Swift, suggesting there really was something for everyone here.

Mary Woodvine was suitably dark as mysterious, misunderstood loner Marney, while Darcy Vanhinsberg switched effortlessly between world-weary Arthur and the charismatic Spanish ancestor who washed up on the cast of Cornwall, married the woman who saved him and worked the land.

A clever use of film, projected against the background scenery, enabled the communication of a long train journey (“fields... more fields...” and the sheer drama of the sea at its wildest. The music was sublime, led by Ben Sutcliffe and Zaid Al Rikabi and involving the entire in four-part harmony interludes to great effect throughout the production.

As a whole, the show was simply spellbinding - we were transfixed from start to finish. It continues until Saturday, but word is out, so make sure you book those few remaining seats very soon at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/white-horse/