And there is much food for thought for little ones – not to mention lots of wiggly worms for Rosie. Where do owls live? What do they eat? What happens if their favourite fir tree is cut down and sold as a Christmas tree?

As Rosie’s adventure is played out, so we come across people who help to protect our environment. There is the family who buys the Christmas tree and who realise that Rosie is asleep in it. Their little girl, Lily, is determined to make sure that she gets back home safely. And there is Nick from the wildlife centre who comes round to help take her back to the forest where she belongs.

The ingredients are all there for this to be a Christmas show winner. An engaging story. Puppets and actors in animal costumes who bring wildlife onto the stage. Plenty of singing and dancing. And of course, a Christmas theme and a flurry of snow at the end.

Good use is made of the puppets in the show. We see Rosie the owl in her natural environment, along with a squirrel, a fox and a reindeer. At the end, she flies high over the auditorium before settling back into the forest. The wiggly worms are long and thick, and the family’s dog is lively.

The set is used well. Fir tree props fold out and are turned around to make a market stall where Christmas trees are sold, and then again to make a cosy living room. The scene of the family decorating the tree brings home some of our favourite Christmas traditions, and slapstick humour adds a seasonal touch.

Delivery of the story by the four performers is more of a mixed affair. Whilst energy levels are high, and much of the show played directly to the audience and involving the children, there is little nuance or change of pace. Voices are somewhat shouty, and sometimes don’t quite hit the note in the songs.

But the final scene, with Christmas trees lit up all around the stage and snow falling from the sky, is a joy.

All in all, The Owl Who Came for Christmas makes for a very different show from the staple offering of pantomime. It clearly engages little children, and Rosie the Owl is a sure winner.

The production is based on the book, The Owl Who Came for Christmas, written by John Hay and illustrated by Garry Parsons. It was adapted for the stage by Chandni Mistry, Creative Programmes Practitioner at Leicester Curve.

The Owl Who Came for Christmas is on MAC until 28th December. It has an age recommendation of 3+. For further information visit macbirmingham.co.uk