IT IS as enchanting as ever.

More than 30 years after the film adaptation of Raymond Briggs classic book hit the big screen and spawned a classical chart hit and grottos galore, it still makes the most engaging of tales.

My companions for the evening, William, aged eight, six-year-old Joseph and Arabella, aged three, were mesmerised throughout.

And there was plenty to keep them entertained for the duration of the one-and-three-quarter-hour performance.

If the most beautifully balletic of snowmen wasn’t enough, add in flying scenes, an incredible live orchestra playing Walking In The Air and other familiar classical fare and all manner of choreographed creatures and characters treading the boards.

The dance scenes are stunning with penguins, reindeer, a princess and Father Christmas all pirouetting, sashaying and cartwheeling their way across the stage.

My personal favourites were the snowmen from around the world – one oriental, a cowboy, a Hollywood character and particularly enjoyably the tartan wearing Scottish snowman who not only performs a Highland Fling, but even gives Jack Frost a Glasgow Kiss for good measure!

Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s stage show is celebrating 21 glorious years of touring, but this is its first visit to Southampton.

The magical tale of the adventures of a little boy and his button, hat, scarf and carrot-wearing creation Snowy is beautifully done, clever and creative while retaining the true warmth and tradition of the piece.

James wakes from dreams of a winter wonderland to find bubbles filling the auditorium and thrilling the young audience.

I imagine it was sweet dreams all round after seeing The Snowman live.

The Snowman runs until Saturday.