Bewitched by The Witches.

Byline: Emma Davison ,

One of Roald Dahl's darkest tales was brought to life in a magical production by the Lawrence Batley Youth Theatre.

An impressively talented young cast took to the stage to perform The Witches, directed by Paul Danby, and delivered with pizzazz the tale of a seven-year-old boy who has a run-in with some real-life witches.

The David Wood stage adaptation of the book is a lot lighter and brighter than the film version, and cast members were given the chance to show off their flair for comedy.

The witches, though pretty creepy when they take off their wigs, are hilarious when they do their witch rap, led by the superb Lily Earnshaw, who plays the Grand High Witch.

Thomas Graham takes on the lead role of Boy with a great deal of enthusiasm - a highlight was his Mission Impossible scene with fellow mouse Bruno, brilliantly played by Declan Nugent.

The scene with the head waiter, played by Sam Lloyd, and the two chefs, played by Bradley Morgan and Anthony Peel, is another side-splitting moment.

There are plenty surprises in store for audiences when the mischievous little mice scamper through the auditorium - and look out for the "latecomer" who has a very keen sense of smell a

There are two groups of principal cast members playing alternate nights and the show runs until Saturday.