In true Bourne style, the opening scene was a delightful introduction to the waifs and strays of an orphanage – from the shy, to the goofy, to the boisterous… it’s impossible not to build an instant fondness for this mixed bag of wonderfully animated characters!

The imposing monochrome set provided the perfect backdrop for this grim institution run by the fearsome Dr Dross and his equally unpleasant wife, the matron. Their two children ‘Sugar and Fritz’ – a spoilt pair of brats – cruelly taunt and bully the orphans, stealing their sweets and breaking the toys that the governors have gifted them for Christmas. The orphans are quickly reminded of their humble position when all traces of any merriment (including the poor excuse for a Christmas tree) are removed and they are subsequently sent to bed.

In a dream, one of the orphans – Clara – dreams that her gift, the Nutcracker puppet, comes to life, breaks open the walls of the orphanage and whisks her off to sweeter pastures. The escape is cleverly achieved when the set itself cracks open, and a huge wooden beam falls down from the ceiling revealing a glimmer of the technicolour fantasy world that the orphans are about to escape into… a winter wonderland!

Their new found freedom is delightfully captured during the snowflakes sequence as the orphans skate across a frozen lake and look up in awe at the snow drifting down from above, their beautiful costumes rippling in the wind as they seemingly float around.

Clara’s adventure is led further on by a duo of pyjama-clad cupids – her best friends who have been wonderfully transformed in her imagination. These heavenly helpers lead her off into Sweetieland, where everything is a sugar indulgence, and the inhabitants are judged not by how they look, but by how they taste!!!

The remaining orphans are transformed into a troupe of ballet dancing Marshmallows in pink maribou wigs, flamenco dancing Liquorice Allsorts, a rather lewd Knickerbocker Glory resembling a smoking lounge lizard and a trio of boisterous Gob Stoppers!

Clara falls for the Nutcracker Prince but she finds herself heartbroken when the Prince is seduced by the vain Princess Sugar, and so she follows him, desperately, trying to attract his attention through Sweetieland.

A wedding cake later and lots of licking action and heartbroken Clara wakes up back in the orphanage, only to find her prince is one of the orphanage boys… a fairy tale ending and a touching moment when Clara gently lays her head on his chest to see if he is real or not!!!

This magical show moves at a swift and assured pace and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face during the whole performance. Lots of ‘oohs’ and 'ahs' later, and I couldn’t believe it was all over… If only I could press ‘repeat’!