Where would you find seventies décor, permed haired granny and a heavy dose of strictly come dancing sequined kitsch? Why, the award-winning, Olivier Award nominated adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling novel Gangsta Granny – on at the Theatre Royal Bath until Easter Sunday.

Poor Ben (Tom Cawte). He doesn’t want to spend every Friday night with his farting granny who smells of cabbage, from cooking her many cabbage based creations of cabbage pie, cabbage brûlée, cabbage crumble and many more. She is so booooring. That’s until Ben discovers that granny isn’t quite what she seems but is a retired jewel thief. The action takes Ben on a journey across London to steal the crown jewels and on an emotional journey getting to know and love his granny.

Jenny Gayner as Mum, the frustrated ballroom dancer, and celebrity worshipper is a vision and sequins, and boy, can she glide across the dance floor. Her soliloquy of fantastic puns about influencing the dancing competition, to son Ben’s advantage, is a feast for the ears. And Flavio. Wonderfully ruffle shirted, tight trousered Flavio played by Aosaf Afzal – a mix of Demis Roussos and Lean in 15 personal trainer Joe Wicks – is, in his own mind exotically smouldering but in truth, just slightly sweaty. Judging the dance competition, which features a local dancer, Lily Mabel Edwards from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance, Flavio announces “ladies and genital-men, that was better than Trowbridge”.

The musical score, written by composer Jak Poore is also better than any county town. Evocative, sensual ballroom and fun Austin Powers style 1970s psychedelia. A real joy to listen to and toe-tappingly catchy.

Also, delightfully Marje Proops is Granny. Played to brilliant effect by Louise Bailey, Gangsta Granny hams up her cabbagy credentials with naked yoga (actually in very large underwear), a very creditable rap, a fabulous cat suit, as well as a nylon dress that looks like it’s been stolen from the set of a Carry On film, circa 1975. Mr Parker played by Jason Furnival (who also plays Dad), has channelled ex-racing pundit John McCririck in a nasty hat and mac, poking his nose into everyone’s business and trying to make trouble in the name of neighbourhood watch. And if I was in hospital, I’d certainly do what Matron, played by a very loud Emma Matthews, said!

The play is touching without being sentimental, moral without being preachy and is jolly good fun. The set is like a swiss army knife of props – the walls turn this way, a bed pulls out. Turn it another, it’s Raj, the Asian gentleman’s corner shop. Turn it again, and it’s a dead ringer for George and Mildred’s kitchen. And who’d have thought the crown jewels were behind there…? Yes, there are possibly a few too many cabbage references, and yes, the farts did get a tad predictable, but my children (aged five and seven) thought it was all a bit naughty and hilariously good fun. And I have to agree. The thought of the getaway mobility scooter crawling across the stage trying to escape “the law” is still making me smile.

To reserve your seat at this Birmingham Stage Company production, call the Theatre Royal on 01225 448844 or book online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.