The novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson has all the elements for a rip-roaring drama; an orphan boy, swash-buckling hero and evil uncle are just some of the huge cast of characters to explore.

Coupled with a kidnapping, violent murder, shipwreck and a manhunt over the Scottish Highlands, there are plenty of action scenes to spice it up. Sell A Door theatre company’s adaptation almost captured the best elements to make an entertaining night out.

The cast of five actors ably provided the huge character list with a judicious use of props, such as a different hat or voice to indicate a new character. The adventure scenes were cleverly recreated using physical theatre – the shipwreck and yomp across the moors were particularly effective.

The difficulty is the audience the play was aimed at. Billed as suitable for ages six and above, it was simply too complicated a script for younger children and even a little confusing for older ones. While many grandparents will know the book well, few under 50 will be aware of the context of the 18th-century Scottish uprising.

To compensate, the action slows for clumsy exposition to explain the history of the Whigs and the Jacobites, often in strong Scottish accents. The result was much of the episodic plot simply seemed confused. The play needs editing to simplify the plot and make it accessible for a modern audience.