As I was washed into the theatre in a sea of children, I couldn’t help but marvel yet again at the ingenuity of the Watermill’s set designers.

Here indeed was the inside of a peach stone, with cunning trapdoors and portholes promising unexpected delights.

Old Green Grasshopper (Ian Harris) was playing his violin and chatting to the audience as we sat down, so the scene was set for a jolly hour and a half.

It is jolly, and there are delights, though it’s a shame that there is no evidence at all of the festive season – not a bit of tinsel in sight.

This is a faithful rendering of Roald Dahl’s story and I know it makes no mention of Christmas; but even so, it is that time of year.

As you’d expect, it is a bit scary to start with, when James’ parents are eaten by a rhinoceros while out shopping, and his two aunts are pleasingly horrible. When the giant peach appears – subtly suggested by ever-larger frilled umbrellas – James’ (Nadim Naaman) adventure begins.

Robert Maskell’s lugubrious brummy earthworm is terrific, and Tomm Coles plays Aunt Spiker/ Centipede with great brio. You won’t come out humming any of the tunes, and Miss Spider (Michelle Long) and Ladybird (Loveday Smith) are sometimes a bit overwhelmed by the music, but there are some lovely touches.

One scene involves an enormous octopus which unexpectedly fights back as it’s squashed back into its lair, much to the audience’s joy.

As ever with the Watermill, it’s beautifully done and the talent onstage is outstanding.

But some mistletoe and a few snowflakes would surely not go amiss, nor a tiny bit of audience participation (oh no it wouldn’t).

It runs until January 3.