*****

Roald Dahl productions are like buses. In the West End alone there are currently two juggernaut productions of Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which show no signs of leaving any time soon. In the regions, The BFG has become a popular choice for theatres, along with James and the Giant Peach.

Bone-crunchingly good, fast-paced, funny and magical

Director Sarah Esdaile has called the shots on both of these and with the help of go-to Dahl adaptor, David Wood, The Octagon have produced a real winner set to keep family audiences happy this Christmas and beyond.

Featuring puppetry, cardboard and a Blue Peter approach to set and prop design, this piece relies on a child’s imagination and will challenge your little ones to forget about new technology, as it takes them back to a world where simplicity reigns supreme. On this level, it works incredibly well. Wood brings out the comedy in the piece, relying on fart gags and slapstick to hit the target.

Macy Nyman plays Sophie, a young girl who lives in an oppressive orphanage. One night Sophie strikes up an unlikely relationship with a friendly giant  - played by John Seaward - after spotting him blowing his trumpet around her neighbourhood. Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations of this character present a scrawny old man, enlarged. Here, Seaward has a fire engine red wig and resembles one half of the band Roxette.

Seaward brings plenty of funny tics to the role, but also poignant moments, as we're utterly sold on the chemistry between him and Nyman. Though this is the young actor's stage debut, her convincing and engaging performace belie her inexperience.

.Macy Nyman and John Seaward as the giant

So how does the Octagon - renowned for its innovative stagecraft - create the illusion of the towering giant? In a number of inventive ways, from the use of a video screen and Michael Fowkes’ beautiful puppets to Janet Bird’s excellent split level set which gives the giant room to breathe.

Sarah Finigan makes a quirky Queen of England and a dancing queen of a teacher (in a bottled dream sequence), ably supported by the delightful Emma MacLennan who shines in numerous roles and the terrific trio of Roddy Peters, Philip Bosworth and Richard Booth as three child eating giants.

At times, certain scenes can seem a little disjointed as the dialogue relies heavily on the book. Still, for the most part the Octagon have staged a Christmas cracker which recalls the golden days of the Library Theatre; kids in rapture, adults enchanted. 

Bone-crunchingly good, fast-paced, funny and magical, The BFG is guaranteed to be a smash hit this festive season.

The BFG plays Bolton's Octagon Theatre until 9 January.