James and the Giant Peach

Here's a juicy festive treat from the Polka - a reprise of the hit show that last packed the little theatre to the rafters five years ago. You could say it's the Polka Theatre indulging itself as part of its ongoing 30th birthday celebrations: after all, what better time to roll out a tried and tested crowd puller? Nonetheless, it's time the latest wave of Roald Dahl fans saw this peach of a show, and it's been buffed up nicely for the occasion.

This adaptation is by David Wood, a playwright whose lifelong dedication to children's theatre is now bearing fruit in the form of a new generation of young playwrights and directors inspired by his work.

Wood's talent as a theatrical magician marries well with Dahl's subversive, eccentric characterisation, resulting in a busy, technicolour show that's wholly involving for children - characters, celebrations, songs, even the great inflatable peach itself all extend into the audience to create spikes of high excitement. And talking of spikes, the dispatch of wicked aunts Sponge and Spiker is a joy to behold.

The six-strong cast constitute a witty and wise bunch on their incredible transatlantic adventure. James Daly, diminutive in his schoolboy shorts, blossoms sweetly from quietly sobbing orphan to cartwheeling captain of the creepy crawly crew, and Dennis Yankson's gloomy worm's eye view of proceedings is hilarious.

With Dahl's occasional leaps into rhyme set to music by Olly Fox, this production for children aged six to 11 has a joyful, exuberance far more suited to the party season than some overwrought celebrity-sprinkled panto.