IF you go down to the woods today then you will be in for surprises. It's what you expect from the consistently inventive Unity Christmas shows.

Sheer fun with a message delivered with enthusiasm amd much skill.

Here it's a slick re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood presented by the first class Action Transport Theatre Company based in Ellesmere Port working with the design team at LIPA.

It works spendidly for under-12s and their families.

I wish I had been offered this type of production when I was at school.

Writer Kevin Dyer ticks all the right boxes. This show works a treat for chidren and adults, too. I should know I was laughing, clapping and even howling along. Yes, howling ..but more of that later.

The stage set by Sydonie Paterson is clever and adaptable. The company use every prop to maximum effect.

Their boundless enthusiasm rebounds on the audience who are quickly introduced to all the characters with great storytelling techniques.

Composer Patrick Dineen excels again with with smashing, catchy melodies and lyrics both of the sing-a-long and sinister atmospsheric variety when the mood fits.

The cast of four are engaging throughout in this enchanting ad educational tale.

Luca Rutherford shines as Little Red our heroine, who is told not to steer off the path as she brings a pie to her grandma.

Alas, she ignores this advice. Along the way she meets a devious wolf played brilliantly by Harvey Robinson.

Natalia Campbell is the concerned mum - an axe-carrying, tree-cutter while Simone Lewis is also a big hit with the children as grannie.

Director Nina Hajiyianni's certainly knows her audience and delivers a festive show that is joyful from to start to finish.

As for the howling - the junior adults are asked if they want to howl at the moon.

There are plenty of takes and the result is a howling success.

A Festive MUST - take that as red.

Five stars

Runs until January 7, 2017