Clary has released two large format comedy books: My Life With Fanny The Wonder Dog (1989) and How To Be A Man (1992). For those who raise an eyebrow at Clary’s clean and family friendly vibe, feel free to relax it again. The Bolds, his first book for children, is a real treat – a funny story with a ludicrous but hugely enjoyable plotline, lots of jokes, some nail-biting moments and wonderful characters.

The Bolds at Unicorn Theatre (Weston Theatre) Theatre review: The Bolds at Unicorn Theatre (Weston Theatre)

As for the story: well, in the wilds of the Serengeti, a couple on holiday from Teddington choose the wrong place to go swimming and get eaten by crocodiles. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent.After two hyenas witness a newlywed couple be devoured while on safari, they decide being a person sounds like fun, and they've picked up a fair amount of English listening to tourists all these years, so why not? When they arrived in England they had to learn where and how to get food, cross the street and hide their tails. And a big reveal in the final scenes concerning Mr McNumpty feels like a plot twist – and an extra 15 minutes of stage time – too far. Something odd is happening at the Unicorn Theatre this Christmas… A pair of hyenas are trying to pass themselves off as human, and are living in a house! It is a great deal of fun with the twins played like real irrepressible children and a talented company singing, dancing Natasha Harrison’s nifty choreography and playing instruments alongside musical director Simon Wallace on keyboards.

The Bolds by Julian Clary, David Roberts | Waterstones

There’s an exciting, action-packed climax, and a very satisfying twist at the end, so all in all this is a very neatly constructed story. Before you know it, the couple are snapped up by a hungry crocodile for his dinner, and Spot and Sue have grabbed the passports of the unfortunate victims, and decided to embark upon an adventure to live as humans in the UK. Their jokes are layered, meaning the humour is accessible, and as a result, there isn't really a moment when the audience are silent. I think it’s fair to say we are all really ready for a bit of fun this Christmas, so get the family down to the Unicorn to enjoy laughs aplenty, and a good old-fashioned sing-song with the Bolds.The Bolds plays at Unicorn Theatre until 31 December, including socially distanced and relaxed performances. It's packed with songs with the immediate appeal of lively music hall-like numbers and there is a string of “What did…?

The Bolds, review: Julian Clary’s suburban hyenas make for The Bolds, review: Julian Clary’s suburban hyenas make for

He has now adapted the first book in the series himself for the Unicorn Theatre’s Christmas show and, if the result is not entirely clean, wholesome entertainment (it’s recommended for six-years-plus) – there are an awful lot of references to bottoms, for one thing – it marks a pretty jolly start to the festive season. As the nasty neighbour, Mr McNumpty Sam Pay is a bit scary at times, but turns out to be a sweetie at the end. Charity Bedu-Addo is also fantastic; she shows off her strong ability to multi-role, performing as best friend Minni, a fellow hyena, and the original Mrs Bold who was eaten by a hungry croc. Not to mention the threat posed by the irrepressible antics of Betty and Bobby who’ve already exposed their secret hyena identities by unwittingly exposing their tails to schoolmate, Minnie (Charity Bedu-Addo).

They may find a couple of double meanings that pass over the youngsters’ heads and as things draw to a close there is just a hint of more in a budding bromance between Mr McNumpty and Uncle Tony (they get a repeat of a number together) but this is the children’s book Clary, not the caustic camp one.