Greenwich Theatre’s search high and wide to find a pearl of a show that would appeal to a group who often miss out when it comes to family entertainment.

One of the theatre’s contributions to the national Family Arts Festival is adapted from John Steinbeck’s novella, The Pearl, and is designed to attracted teenagers from the ages of 12 and 13.

Greenwich Theatre’s artistic director James Haddrell said: “There's not a lot of theatre for that age group.

“It's a big gap for this industry and a big gap for young people, and we feel passionately that something needs to be done about it.”

He added: “There's a perception that slightly older children are hard to please and it's hard to find the right product for them. I must have watched about 30 family shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, looking for work to bring to Greenwich, and there was just one for young teenagers.”

Keen to cater to families in the widest sense, James booked The Pearl for shows in October 26 and 27, which is performed by Dumbshow, whose artistic director Michael Bryher directs and plays the lead character, impoverished pearl diver Kino.

Michael said: “Steinbeck initially wrote the story as a film so it already had a sense of drama and character to it in a visual sense.

“I had to take the place of someone who couldn't make the tour but it's going well. We've been together for a long time and know each other well.

"Six of us will be in a minibus, less like a pop group and more like a removal company.”

He added: “I absolutely agree with James Haddrell that there's not enough for older children. I would even say there is not enough for nine-year-olds and upwards. The Pearl is certainly not for younger children, we have suggested 12 plus as it deals with quite adult issues."

Last year, the theatre created a giant graffiti wall for the Family Arts Festival while this year it is participating in the Big Draw Festival to encourage families to draw.

Greenwich Theatre’s second Family Arts Festival show, The Queen’s Knickers, is aimed at children aged three and up and is on October 30 and 31.

Tickets for The Pearl cost £16 or £11 concessions and for The Queen’s Knickers cost £11 and £8.50 for children and concessions.

Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk or call 020 88587755.