Since Charlie and Lola were last at the Polka Theatre they have been touring the country with their Best Bestest Play and even made it to Brazil.

Now, they are back to help celebrate the Polka's 30th birthday with a production that also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the original picture book.

Written by Lauren Child, the Charlie and Lola books focus on the lives of the two young siblings as they turn everyday situations into an adventure.

The books were such a success that they were soon turned into a hit BBC series before eventually making it onto the stage.

Roman Stefanski, the director of the production, said: "Lauren sees the children in their own world and how they create things.

"Their logic is a wonderful thing in having that adventure or sorting out that problem.

"It's delightful watching Lola and listening to her talk.

"She's quite eloquent but at the same time she will use phrases that we don't use as grown ups.

"There is that beautiful simplicity in a child's logic that gets drowned in complications as we get older.

"I think she's got it right and we've got it wrong!"

The stage production links together a number of the Charlie and Lola storylines and uses two-dimensional puppets of the familiar cartoon drawings.

"We decided to respectfully keep that collage effect," explained Stefanski.

"We have just made that collage come alive. "The actors controlling the puppets are in full view but you would be fascinated to see how they just melt away once the show gets started.

"The voices are pre-recorded by the actors from the television series, so in that way it will be very recognisable and the whole fact that it is live in front of you just adds to the magic."

Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play, Polka Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, ages 4-7, February 17 to May 15, various times, £16 (weekends) £14 (weekdays) £10 (concessions). Call 020 8543 4888 or visit polkatheatre.com.