Tom's Midnight Garden @ Library Theatre, Manchester

9:36pm Monday 10th December 2007

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WHILE I'm passionate about live theatre and its ability to jolt you out of your cosy little world, it's always enjoyable, in this troubled world of ours, to indulge in a spot of escapism.

If that appeals to you, then you simply must not miss Tom's Midnight Garden, the Library Theatre's charming Christmas production.

Based on the classic children's novel by Philippa Pearce, this captivating tale takes us back to a more innocent age, when kids were allowed to be kids and they spent their days climbing trees and scraping their knees rather than just sitting glued to DVDs and computer games.

When I use the phrase "children's novel" I hope adults won't feel excluded.

Tom's Midnight Garden has an appeal that transcends the generation gap and while it is most definitely a nice story, Pearce never descends into sickly sentimentality.

For those of you who don't know it, this is the story of Tom, a young boy who goes to stay with his aunt and uncle to allow his brother, Peter, to recover from measles.

The couple, who don't have a maternal or a paternal bone in their bodies, live in a rambling Victorian house that has been converted into flats.

Without doubt, the centrepiece of the house is a wonderful grandfather clock, which is maintained with an almost religious devotion by the couple's elderly neighbour, Mrs Bartholemew.

One night, the clock mysteriously strikes an extra hour, and Tom's eye popping adventure begins.

Performances under the direction of Roger Haines and Liam Steel are outstanding, and I was particularly impressed by Arthur Wilson as Tom and Claire Redcliffe as Hatty.

The Library Theatre can be a magical place at Christmas and if you go to see this I guarantee you'll leave this fabulous venue glowing with pleasure.

Highly recommended.

• Until January 12. Performance times vary and tickets are available from 0161 236 7110.