Colourful costumes and characters as well as beautiful sets moving on and off stage in seconds display the breathtaking capabilities of a state-of-the-art theatre.

The Curve production of Peter Pan A Musical is a rip roaring rampage of swashbuckling pirates and imaginative children flying, dancing and singing their way through two hours of fun filled family entertainment.

While maintaining the traditional Edwardian setting of JM Barrie’s original story, writer Paul Miller has also included welcome modern twists like Geordie accented street language from Nibs, one of the leading lost boys.

The fact Peter Pan, played by Spencer Charles Noll, is a little too camp for my taste would obviously not bother most youngsters, and it’s they who count most in any production of this much-loved classic.

Some memorable sing-along tunes and a fantastic live orchestra ensure they are spellbound while some slapstick comedy help keep the rest of us entertained.

Captain Hook, played by James Gaddas of Bad Girls fame, brings an awesome presence to the stage from the off.

He may scare the wits out of every small child in the auditorium but his witty and articulate dealings with his incompetent crew are great.

Smee, embodied by Paul baker, is one of the best fools in the group and takes the edge off Hook’s sinister Pan catching plans hilariously.

Stunning Tiger Lily, enacted by Holly James, brings some scintillating sexiness in her skimpy Indian outfit and leads one of the best and biggest group choreographed dances in the show.

All child characters, the Darling kids and lost boys are played well with the pirates supplying a healthy dose of comedy in between.

The flying bits are done smoothly although chunky black wires require a bit of pathetic fallacy to ignore.

Set design is brilliant starting with the somber safe surroundings of the nursery then swiftly transporting you to overgrown trippy mushrooms and huge falling autumn leaves for the lost boys’ hideout scenes.

Other sets include a rocky blue lagoon and mermaid complete with giant oyster electric wheelchair, an impressive pirate galleon, and myriad more clever props like the fantastic remote controlled ticking croc.

Peter Pan is a perfect family treat for the festive season so get in touch with your inner child and get down to Curve this Christmas.

The show, directed by David Taylor, is on from Monday to Saturday till January 23, 2010. To buy tickets go to www.curvetickets.co.uk