‘IN the dark night that is very long the Men of the Northlands sit by their great log fires and they tell a tale...’ Parents and grandparents of a certain age may remember this extract from the beginning of the popular children’s TV series Noggin the Nog.

And now another generation can enjoy the delightfully innocent and simple tales of the young Norse king and his bride Nooka of the Nooks with a new stage version.

Created by kids’ TV legends Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin - who were also responsible for Ivor the Engine, Clangers and the inimitable Bagpuss – the series first aired from 1959 and was resurrected in the late 70s.

It told the story in Norse saga-style of the young Noggin, who must find a bride within six weeks of his father’s death or risk losing his throne to his wicked uncle Nogbad the Bad.

The company of four male players who brought two of the tales to life in Poole this week did a fine job, portraying everyone from Noggin to his lazy mother Grunhilda and a band of crows to Graculus the great green bird who acts as Noggin’s guide.

Using a mixture of live action, puppets and projected snippets from the TV series, the show delighted the young audience, with the giant puppet-head of Groliffe the Ice Dragon winning particular favour.

With live music from a pedal-powered keyboard, ukelele and trumpet as well as simple but effective multi-functional scenery, this production is an excellent example of the magic of theatre for even the youngest audience.