This is Snow White as you’ve never seen it before — colourful, lively, full of surprises and laden with witty one-liners. In Karl Peterson’s hilarious adaptation, the jokes come thick and fast as he weaves the strands of the story with modern parlance. “You don’t need a magic mirror, you need a therapist,” the mirror tells the wicked queen, before adding that she is not the best-looking ‘babe’ in the kingdom.

The original seven dwarfs are now apparently living a life of luxury elsewhere in the valley. It is left to a motley bunch of misfits to offer shelter to Snow White — somewhat reluctantly, until they realise that she is willing to cook and clean for them.

In Peterson’s version there are just four dwarfs; artistic director Nasser Memarzia has added a few more, and they all have very distinctive personalities, such as Whiffy, who never washes, the slow-witted Dippy and the bad-tempered Huffy.

Penelope Tasker is a towering presence as a feisty and petulant wicked queen, and her hilarious dying scene is a highlight of the show. Liam Nooney is equally impressive as the wise-cracking Magic Mirror, while James Snee also raises plenty of laughs with his Scottish-accented Hunter, who has a crush on the queen, though he is appalled at her wickedness.

As Snow White, Jessica Braviner is a classic heroine — full of virtue and innocence, but with a streak of vanity. The younger members of the company play the dwarfs with skill and confidence, and blend well with the professional performers.

This is a fun, feel-good production that will have you aching with laughter, and is the perfect tonic for these dark, cold, January nights. Snow White continues at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, until January 23. Box office: 01295 279002 or online at www.themillartscentre.co.uk