BACK when I was a little chidler, Roald Dahl’s surreal world of grotesque giants, snozzcumbers and dreamcatchers gave me hours of joy.

Brought to life by those brilliantly infantile illustrations by Quentin Blake, the BFG – or Big Friendly Giant to the uninitiated – was the ultimate escape.

Translating that imagination on to the stage was a tall order, if you’ll forgive the pun, but whether you’re an old bunkledoodle like myself or a wide-eyed scrumplet enjoying this mad world for the first time, you won’t be disappointed.

This wonderfully wacky story revolves around orphan Sophie, played here by Macy Nyman, who spots a shadowy giant through her bedroom window. After she is whisked away and taken to Giant Country the fun really starts, especially after the terrifying Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and Bonecruncher get involved.

Bolton’s unique Octagon always does intimate well but in this case it’s perfect for the compact stage set-up, which coupled with some inventive lighting, gives a great sense of scale to the giant’s fun.

Mixing up live action, puppetry and even the odd televisual effect, this adaptation moves quickly enough to keep the young ones interested. There’s just enough silliness – whizzpops and frobscottle anyone? – and the dream scenes in particular had my son Finley giggling uncontrollably.

John Seaward tackles the BFG’s odd vocabulary well, although his shock of red hair is at odds with the pictures from the book of my youth.

But for Nyman and Seaward the other cast members take on multiple roles, including the mean and nasty giant puppets. It’s just such swiddling, scumping, squinkling fun.

The BFG, directed by Sarah Esdaile, runs until January 9.

For ticket and showtime information click here.