Based on the 1971 Walt Disney film of the same name and the novels by Mary Norton, Bedknobs And Broomsticks is visiting the Grand as part of its first ever UK tour - and by the end of a thoroughly entertaining evening of musical theatre, you’ll be delighted indeed that the show’s famous flying bed has made this short but sweet stop-off in the Midlands.

Thankfully, said bed flew exactly as it was meant to fly last night. This was in marked contrast to Tuesday’s show, when a technical hitch saw the audience heading for an early exit rather than bobbing along on the bottom of the beautiful briny sea.
An ambitious show for such a small - but multi-talented - cast, Bedknobs boasts a winning combination of illusions (I particularly enjoyed the transformation from human to rabbit and back again), visually impressive sets & lighting, fantastic puppets, and some seriously splendid performances.

For those not in the know, the story concerns orphans Charlie, Carrie and Paul Rawlins, three youngsters evacuated from London during the Second World War. The siblings find themselves sent to the village of Pepperinge Eye and taken in by the eccentric Eglantine Price - here played by West End veteran Dianne Pilkington - who they soon discover is a trainee witch!

Joining forces with her to search for a spell that will defeat the enemy, they head off on a magical and visually stunning adventure, using the aforementioned flying bed as their mode of transport...

Featuring the original toe-tapping music & lyrics by the Sherman brothers - including Portobello Road, The Age Of Not Believing and The Beautiful Briny, melding surprisingly seamlessly with new music & lyrics by Neil Bertram and book by Brian Hill - Bedknobs And Broomsticks is a show that delights, excites and completely captivates with its family-friendly charm. Laugh, shed a tear or two maybe, but leave feeling mightily cheered by a five-star production entirely deserving of its standing ovation. 

Five stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Wednesday 6 April. Bedknobs and Broomsticks continues to show at the theatre until Saturday 9 April.