IT was a classic 1950s Ealing comedy and one of the studio’s great British films.

Graham Linehan’s inventive stage adaptation, directed by Sean Foley and fresh from huge critical acclaim in the West End, has turned black and white into brilliant, unmissable madcap colour.

One of the outstanding features is Michael Taylor’s set depicting a dear little old widow’s house standing very close to King’s Cross Station.

It’s a wickedly wonky interior that has suffered bomb damage and every time a train passes the lights flash and everything shakes, including the people.

Watch out for the model cars depicting the robbery which scoot across the stage and the most fabulous backcloth depicting a train bearing down on a fleeing robber.

A gang of criminals who pose as a string quintet have rented a room in Mrs Wilberforce’s house; their aim to rob a huge amount of money and scarper.

Every character is an unashamed stereotype, from Paul Bown’s superbly shifty Professor Marcus to Clive Mantle’s transvestite character Major Courtney.

Michele Dotrice is the wonderful doddery Mrs Wilberforce, her mannerisms so real I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Fabulous performances from William Troughton as the pill-pushing Harry Robinson and an excellent Chris McCalphy as One-Round, the deeply dim ex-boxer.

This production is packed with cracking comic performances and is the perfect antidote to a cold, snowy winter’s night.

  • Until Saturday. Box office 08448-112121 and online theatreroyal.co.uk