The 101 Dalmatians, Nuffield Theatre

IT'S dotty, quite potty and is guaranteed to knock the spots off anyone not yet in the Christmas spirit.

The Nuffield Theatre's The 101 Dalmatians is a classy canine caper that had everyone's tails wagging at last night's opening performance.

Sticking faithfully to author Dodie Smith's classic story, director Patrick Sandford has pulled off an almost impossible feat - to make a universally known tale even more accessible. But for those weaned on the Disney version there's no need to worry. The original is closer to the cartoon and recent film outings than we might have imagined.

Needless to say, despite some first class performances from the senior cast, it's Cruella De Vil who steals the show. Elizabeth Counsell has no need to play up her part as the nastiest fur-frock lover around, but she manages to walk a lovely line between panto villain and tortured temptress. She is almost upstaged by her own magic motor, a devilishly dinky little car that should have a stage run all of its own.

Nuffield Christmas season veteran David Alcock - this is his sixth in a row - stars as Cruella's long-suffering husband and not-quite-so-eager partner in crime.

Paul Benzing and Adam Ward play the knockabout Badun brothers, more Ali G than Ali Baba. Fun stuff.

Verity Hewlett teams up with San Shella to create Mr and Mrs Dearly, the 'pets' owned by Dalmatian parents Missis, played by Milenka James and the irrepressible Pongo - Phillip Pellew.

The canine characters are graceful, acrobatic, irreverent and certainly in charge.

Do they manage to create all those puppies on stage? Of course they do. And any youngster who wants to help by taking part can register to be a puppy for the performance.

Does Cruella get that Dalmatian fur coat? Do Pongo and Missis arrive in time? What do you think?

The 101 Dalmatians runs until January 11, 2003.