Roald Dahl’s tales of childhood adventures are frighteningly fantastical and devilishly disgusting, and therefore, you may imagine, difficult to pull off on stage.

But with a solid set, seamless sound and visual effects and a captivating cast, The Birmingham Stage Company did Dahl’s fabulous fiction justice.

Roald’s revolting rhymes and verse, of eating cabbage with caterpillars and crunchy beetles, are deliciously distinctive to anyone who has read his books, and instantly appealing to the many under-tens in the audience. And his empathy with the children he wrote for never loses its charm. What child doesn’t want to get one over on the grown-ups who stop them having fun, or have free rein to make a mess with the pots, pastes and powders that are usually off limits?

But words can only stretch so far on stage, so it was wondrous to see Erika Poole’s gloriously grumpy grandma. It was as if Coronation Street’s Blanche had been resurrected to play the part, literally growing to burst through the roof after George’s concoction sent bangers up her bottom. And a giant chicken chasing the family round the stage is always going to have young children in stitches.

With plenty of audience participation involved in helping the likeable George make his marvellous medicine, and screeches and giggles of delight from the younger children in the audience prompted throughout the performance, this play would have filled theatres in the summer holidays and will no doubt do so during panto season.

Just don’t try this at home kids!

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