FUNNY and festive in equal measure - Reading Between the Lines' (RBL) latest production is not to be missed this Christmas.

At some point, readers may start to settle down with their families and enjoy their favourite holiday movies and A Christmas Carol will no-doubt be on that list for many people.

It has been adapted a number of times - with varying success - but my preference has to be the version with The Muppets. But this performance was all about the puppets!

Part of what made RBL's adaptation special was the unique way the cast delivered a story I had already heard many times before.

It must be hard to keep an audience engaged when they know the plot and expect the awful miser Ebenezer Scrooge to have a moral epiphany.

The four-strong cast deliver a variety of roles, travelling back to Victorian times from their office Christmas party. It was this particular spin on the Charles Dickens classic that really captured my attention.

Rather than simply being the characters from A Christmas Carol, the perky work experience girl and human resources worker become the bubbly Bob Cratchit and charity collectors.

When they realise the play has been written for four people, the miserable boss reluctantly agrees to play a female Scrooge - a role she is all-too familiar with.

Haunted by ghosts and captivated by the thrill of the performance, she too experiences a transformation and starts hugging her employees - before flossing in a humorous dance finale.

The uniqueness of this adaptation extends much further than an awkward office Christmas party at the top and tail of the performance.

When one of the members of the cast is not making you laugh with their best impression of Cratchit, Fezziwig, or Fred, they are controlling puppets.

The dolls vary in size, from the adorable Tiny Tim to the daunting spectre that is the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come.

It was clever and showed a whole different side to what you expect when you go to the theatre. This version has been carefully considered at every juncture to make a traditionally sombre and spooky tale hugely entertaining to watch.

It is hardly surprising that this show was a delight. The award-winning 'Conquerors' trilogy achieved outstanding reviews and I would highly recommend visiting South Street Arts Centre to see A Christmas Carol before December 30.

Visit: readingarts.com/south-street/whats-on/christmas-carol to book tickets.