Storm on the Lawn, the umbrella title for the Theatre Royal’s annual summer school production by 100 plus young people, is the only outdoor drama production each year to which I genuinely look forward.

It’s because the vagaries of the British summer dictate that one suffers either a massive midge attack or a deluge of Biblical proportions that I think open-air theatre on the whole is a barmy idea.

But the annual Storm productions are invariably worth braving the elements for.

This year is no exception. Writer-adapter Oliver Birch took five tales from the Grimm brothers’ originals and wove them into a continuous tale for a Big Top, with an entertaining mixture of language styles from the grandly poetic to the west country vernacular with a few lines borrowed from Dylan Thomas along the way.

Everyone was word perfect and, for the most part, audible in the open air. They create a colourful, funny, dramatic evening. And the weather was kind on the first night.

The Brothers Grimm were the ring masters. Their dramatic, gothic moral tales are perfect for an exuberant, imaginative young company. And they uncovered some extraordinary dramatic talent under the direction of Amy Leach.

The sets, music, lighting and special effects – all created and rehearsed in three weeks like the rest of the show – matched the standard of the performers. The Devil, glowing red and steaming on the roof of the Ball Court was a particularly effective invention.

The whole ensemble worked hard, on stage and off, but special mention must go to Larissa Oblensky as Fear Boy, in a tale I confess was unfamiliar. At 13 she shows amazing maturity and total confidence.

One of the youngest actors, Ciaran Mullally, 12, was another star as the Valiant Little Tailor. He acted and sang with complete conviction and enormous aplomb.

I suspect there are several stars of the future in this circus ring for the next four nights.