Adapted from the picture book by Raymond Briggs, this Pins And Needles production skilfully recreated the magical world of a child’s imagination.

The three-person cast busily moved between playing Tilly and Mum and Dad, to puppeteering the remarkable, stunning, giant polar bear, as well as a pet cat and goldfish and dream-like shadow puppets.

Filled with singing and dancing, laughter and tears, there was much to capture the attention of the young entranced audience of this sold-out performance.

Naomi Stafford pitched her performance right as Tilly, the little girl whose parents only humour her relationship with the bear that comes to stay in her house one stormy night.

The superb set and costumes were designed by Zoe Squire.

The bathroom scene caused a lot of merriment, as the bear drank from the toilet bowl and took a bath while Tilly shampooed him.

As the bear steadily trashed the house, Tilly sang indignantly: “I can’t believe it, it can’t be true, the bear just did a giant poo”, to great amusement.

When the bear finally returned through the window to the North Pole, the performance ended magically with the bear frolicking in a dazzling snow scene.

Four stars