If there is one essential quality that a family Christmas show requires, it is narrative clarity.
While this piece, adapted from an original film script by Ben Hopkins, offers subsidiary delights, a clear sense of why everyone is doing what is sorely lacking.
It takes an unconscionably long, child-confusing time to arrive at the plot, namely that two young thieves alone have the power to prevent evil magician Du-Shao from banishing music from the world.
We are, admittedly, introduced to Miloshin and Zhivta early on, but quite why remains a mystery.
Still, the absence of a coherent storyline leaves space to consider other elements of David Farr's somewhat oomph-free production.
The role-doubling actors play a jolly range of anthropomorphic creatures - the fish comes complete with swimming hat and goggles - and court officials who ponder crucial dilemmas such as "Philosophy or cheese?"
Sharon Duncan-Brewster and Stephen Mangan work hard as our plucky heroes, even if they appear to be following two entirely different briefs. Duncan-Brewster's Zhivta is determinedly earnest, whereas Mangan's sardonic delivery and twitch of a smirk suggest pantomimic urges.
Such discrepancies need to be resolved before this Carpet can truly take flight.
Until 14 January. Information: 08700 500 511.
The Magic Carpet
