A TOUCHING play highlighting the struggles of being in the care system will be on at South Street Theatre this Saturday. 

Belongings, by Tangled Feet & Rowan Tree, is aimed at seven to 11 year olds and seeks to broaden understanding around children growing up in the care system. 

There are two shows on Saturday - one at 11.30am and another at 2.30pm. 

Describing the play, organisers said: "We are all trying to work out our story. Who are we? How are we shaped? Where do we fit in?

"Cleo arrives into a new home, unsure of what the future holds. She meets the playful Bertie, who brings her out of her shell, and Leila, who she has more in common with than she first thought.

"Life has been unsettled for the trio: Bertie is pushing towards the future, Leila is trying to reconnect with her past and Cleo is searching for answers.

"Together they balance, dance and climb to navigate imagined worlds, divided loyalties and loved ones far away. They unite to discover a place called home, the value of play, and together, learn how to own their own stories.

"Developed through working creatively with young people in care over a period of years this "inspiring, engaging, beautifully evocative production” (Everything Theatre) explores a fundamental need we all share - the need to belong."

The play has already been nominated for two Off West End Awards (Best Production, Best Performance by an Ensemble) and has won much praise from across the industry. 

A critic from Everything Theatre said: "So much more than theatre, Belongings is an outlet for therapy, a joyful celebration of childhood play, an articulation of resilience and a message that children in care can find their place in the world"

While the critic for Family Stage said: "It’s brilliantly done, managing to be extremely relatable for children with no experience of the care system while giving them a rare insight into the reality of life in foster care”

And it has gone down well with young audiences too. One child said: "It reached my heart."

While an adult audience member said: "I was moved and greatly touched with the bold and balanced, sensitive and remarkable presentation of the stories, it truly captured the essence of children, their words and their pace and their sharing." 

Tickets are £11 or £10 for members. Visit whatsonreading.com for more information.