In an age when children are often lost in a virtual, but violent, urban jungle, it was heartening to see rows of excited youngsters tonight joining Mowgli and the gang on a journey through Rudyard Kipling’s jungle classic.

Kipling’s story, about a boy raised by wolves who must learn the rules of jungle life to survive, was brought beautifully to life by the ever-reliable Birmingham Stage Company.

The lively family show included enough comic touches and catchy songs, including an amusing monkey rap, to keep its young audience entertained, but stayed faithful to Kipling’s portrayal of the brutal realities of life in the wild, and the jungle law binding it together.

The action unfolded against a striking set of swinging vines, as Mowgli and his animal family and friends find their safety threatened by power-hungry tiger, Shere Khan.

Joe Sterling didn’t have the traditional look of Mowgli but gave a lovely performance as the good-natured boy who remains fiercely loyal to his protector, Akela, nicely played by Iwan Tudor.

My eight-year-old nephew liked Baloo the amiable bear, played as a cuddly uncle figure by Rob Hughes, and Kaa the hypnotic python, a striking Chinese dragon-style puppet beautifully moved by Laura Waggott. Peter Sowerbutts oozed contempt as nasty Shere Khan, and Zephryn Taitte gave a touching performance as kindly panther, Bagheera.

The animals were aided by striking costumes and authentic movement choreographed by animal expert Peter Elliot, who created and played the apes in movies such as Greystoke and Congo.

It was a bit “he’s behind you” panto in places, but was ultimately a faithful, affectionate adaptation of a timeless classic.

Runs until Saturday.