"The Queen farts as well you know," was one of the many one liners my nan made me laugh with as a child, writes Steve Zacharanda.

And after watching Gangsta Granny at the New Alex Theatre he was right, and judging by the cavalcade of children's laughter when Ma'am passed wind it is still funny.

The Birmingham Stage Company's world premiere of its adaptation of the wildly popular children's book Gangsta Granny by David Walliams was a real joy.

And it was not just me and my 11-year-old godson who saw the funny side, the Britain's Got Talent judge and author appeared on stage at the end to say the loved the production more than his book.

The packed house was treated to a wonderful night with a cast of characters which included The Queen, burgling nannies, overblown ballroom dancers and a folksy corner shop owner.

And a very creepy Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator who follows a long line of despicable villains in British children's literature including The Child Snatcher, Boggis, Bunce and Bean and Agatha Trunchbull.

Ben, played by Ashley Cousins, cannot stand visiting his granny's house on a Friday night, she smells of cabbage and like the Queen can fart like a trooper.

But his regular Friday nights playing scrabble and being force fed a menu of cabbage take a fantastical turn when granny starts regaling him with her tall tales of a life of crime as The Black Cat - international diamond thief. Gilly Tomkins played the granny with all the gusto and tenderness needed for a Gangsta Granny.

The jokes came thick and fast and there were stellar performances from all the cast including understudy Louise Bailey who played Ben's mother and the Queen, she certainly has got "funny bones". 

As for Benedict Martin, he has a face for theatre, his expressions are legion and looks as if his bonce is made of elastic bands.

He played both Ben's ballroom loving dad and the villain of the piece Mr Parker - who mistakes his Neighbourhood Watch duties as a free reign to spy and intimidate.

Gangsta Granny will see the Birmingham Stage Company heading off to the West End and then around the world. Over the years this remarkable company has brought the stories of Roald Dahl to life and Walliams certainly has a whiff of the great man.

As with any great children's story there is an underlying moral theme, and as we approach the festive period it can only be good that children and their parents remember the "olds" are lot more than just a number of their years.