Any live performance of James and the Giant Peach needs certain ingredients to be a success - great sets, outlandish costumes and over-the-top performances - and the Falkland Youth Theatre Group didn't disappoint during their take on the fantasy adventure.

This company of fine young actors, led by respected Scottish director, Lisa Irving, and supported by a troupe of wonderfully imaginative parents, put on a breathtaking show in front of two full houses earlier this month, raising much welcome funds for Falkland Village Hall.

The highest compliment that can be paid to the talented young cast is that Roald Dahl would have thoroughly enjoyed watching them bring his fantastic characters to life.

Bossing the performance from the start were Ellen Bannerman and Marcie Irving as the domineering aunts of young James - played by an immensely composed and cheeky Craig Brand.

Mix Dame Edna with Patsy from the BBC's Ab Fab and throw in a bit of the Wicked Witch of the West and you get an idea what the grotesque sisters - Sponge and Spiker - brought to the party. Even though they really were truly horrible - just like a bad car crash you couldn't take your eyes off them whenever they were on stage.

The play shifted seamlessly from New York's Central Park, via a beautiful garden and the inside of the giant peach to the poop deck of the Queen Mary.

The stunning settings were down to the efforts of lighting supremo, Stewart Thomson, musical director, Alan Normand, and stage manager Alasdair Baird - an architect by day but a supremely talented artist and set designer by night.

Alasdair converted a slide machine to project his wonderful, hand-drawn, backdrops onto the wall and gave the children a magical environment in which to strut their stuff - and how they strutted.

The supporting cast came into their own during the livelier sections of the show.

Isaac Davie, as the centipede, was resplendent in a silver outfit and four inch high shoes that David Bowie in his pomp, would have envied.

Miss Spider and the Ladybird, Rosie Baird and Iona Anderson, brought a touch of class to proceedings and really showed off the characters of their insects with very mature performances.

And Fifi Cooper, as the world-weary earthworm, was more dour than Gordon Brown after a weekend chat with Wendy Alexander.

But the prize for most flexible actor has to go to Jamie Mather, who swapped from a plummy voiced Grasshopper to an Irishman to a grumpy matriarch, Mrs Trotter, with scary ease. As the old harridan, young Jamie reminded me of legendary Scottish actor, Alastair Sim - famous for his role as the headmistress in the classic St Trinians' films.

The rest of the company were key cogs in the success of the performance and Gregor Whyte, Kelsey Sneddon, Lara Barclay and Cameron Nellies, really kept the show flowing. In particular, Gregor's comic timing was spot-on - if he doesn't fancy a life on the boards, he'd make a living as a stand-up.

Special mention has to go to costume designer, Jacqui Brand, who worked non-stop to create the amazing outfits - from the sick sisters' shocking frocks, fat bottoms and glasses to the stunning insects and their multiple legs and wings. But Jacqui's efforts would have been wasted without the support of costume changer extraordinaire, Evelyn Wales.

The show was the latest addition to the very impressive CV of Falkland based director, Lisa Irving - no project, it seems, is too big for this ambitious drama teacher.

Lisa's quirky touches and attention to detail are all apparent in her shows and she deserves huge praise for the obvious enthusiasm and original ideas she transmits to her young companies.

The 13 strong cast and supporting crew of JATGP can be justifiably proud for the best youth production seen in the area for many a year.

Well done guys.

We're now all waiting with baited breath for the next instalment.

Titanic anyone!

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The precursor to JATGP was the junior drama group's version of David Wood's Lady Lollipop, the tale of a spoilt princess who learns some valuable life lessons from a piglet. The children, also directed by Lisa Irving and cleverly costumed by Evelyn Wales, put on a delightful little show with endearing performances from the leads- Claire Mather, Vaila Anderson, Katie Moody, Innes Thomson, Louise Carlton, Callum Simpson, Rachel Donnelly.The future is certainly bright for Fife theatre with this talented young group of actors in the wings.