IF you want to see puppetry of the highest order then the Empire is the place to be.

This is one dog house worth visiting.

Paul O'Grady would have loved it.

This 2024 touring stage musical is an adaptation of Dodie Smith's 1956 novel.

Many of us grew up with the 1961 Disney animation classic and later generations with the 1996 real-life cinematic version.

Here we have the best of both worlds.

Production image from '101 Dalmations - the Musical'Production image from '101 Dalmations - the Musical' (Image: Johan Persson)

Cinema and theatre meet in harmony.

101 Dalmatians - The Musical  is fun, lively and upbeat with a jaunty score from a live band delivered by a very versatile ensemble.

There's a witty script, cartoon-esque characters and, of course, those loveable Dalmations dogs.

Choreography is hugely enjoyable, too, notably in a scene depicting dubious characters in a London pub.

This is a fabulous family show.

For just over two-and-a-half hours it works on two levels for children and adults alike.

It opens in a dog's home called Puppy Love where we meet singing puppies in fine frenetic chorus.

Enter an abandoned dog who - after a scrub up - is revealed to be a spotty variety - a Dalmation.

He is adopted by the canine care home's helper Danielle (Jessie Elland) and he is duly called Pongo.

While out walking her new four-legged pal, she bumps into excitable fashion designer Tom (Samuel Thomas) and his Dalmation called Perdi.

It's love on all counts.

Tom and Danielle and Perdi and Pongo.

And so there's the patter of tiny . . . Paws.

Fifteen of them, in fact.

Alas, it's time for some dramatic conflict.

We meet fashion tyrant Cruella De Vil played by the exceptional singer and actress Kym Marsh.

She wants the Dalmation fur for her new range.

So there's plenty of panto-esque capers as she is aided by two hapless henchmen Casper (Charles Bunton) and Jasper (Danny Hendrix).

They have great comic timing during silly slapstick moments.

There's some lovely songs along the way including Take me Home.

But the show-stealers are mum and daddy dalmations.

Perdi (Emma Thornett) and Longo (Linford Johnson).

Their puppet work is outstanding and other puppeteers bring a tabby cat to life.

They all have astonishing expressions, perfect physical movements and sheer dexterity of hands that I forgot I was looking at puppets.

When everyone takes a bow (wow) it's very moving watching the audience reaction to this splendid celebration of visual creativity.

It offers much-welcomed escapism highlighting love, life and friendship . . . with no strings attached.

Verdict: Spot on

Four stars

The show is on until Saturday . Tickets from Atgtickets.com