"The Poitin Maker's Child" by Shane Lammond-Lynch.

Nottingham Lakeside.

Here's something very different. A queer folk cabaret with drag, live music, and ritual with Irish storytelling traditions. Inspired by history where Irish boys wore dresses to confuse the fairies, apparently they used to wait for little boys to come along and carry them off, so little boys wore dresses to confuse the fairy folk! And that's just one of the tales that's on offer. I love folklore, myths and legends and this show kept me gripped throughout.

It starts off reminiscent of a version of "The Wizard Of Oz" as we see an umbrella on the floor with just a pair of legs sticking out - a bit like when the Wicked Witch had Dorothy's home dropped on her after the whirlwind struck Kansas. From this umbrella emerges Shane to tell us stories of his Da and Ma and the folklores and myths that surrounded his childhood, including puppetry.

Woven into  these stories the audience become part of the entertainment, and I won't give too much away, but a game similar to pass the parcel is initiated with a lucky dip style pulling out of the bag "guilty secrets" that audience members have been asked to proffer on labels as they enter the auditorium. A nice ice breaker that gets the audience involved without really doing too much or being embarrassed. In between the wondrous stories there's a call and response section, taken from the programme that you're given, an anthemic piece to be sung manlily as well as a recipe for Ginger Beard Biscuits. That does have a connection with part of the storyline, as does all the little bits given in the free programme.

I love a good story, as well as a good storyteller and that is what you get in this show. Interspersed with music, provided live by Joe Lammond on guitar, as well as recorded music, sound effects and the odd banshee wailing through the magic portal.

When you get to your seat, take a bit of time to take in the set which has many fascinating things to look at, making yourself question their relevance to what you're going to see; it'll all become apparent as the hour progresses.

Ali Bakewell is Stage Manager as well as providing the voice of the Banshee, and Rufus Walker provides the voice of Finn and The Shadow.

Shane is the Writer, Creator and Producer of the show, which has been Directed by Kitty Winter.

The Production Designer is Ivy Richards with the Sound Design by Wayne Walker-Allen.

Joe Lammond's music score for the show has a real Celtic influence, with parts of the musical backdrop not sounding out of place in TV shows like "Peaky Blinders".

The only thing that stops this entertainment appealing to a younger audience (under 16 years old) are just a couple of swear words, but without them, this show would be fantastic for young kids as well as bigger kids (over 16 years old). It's entertaining, great fun, educational something really different, and I loved it.

Shane's Derby Studio Theatre show sold out and there are only two performances here at Lakeside Arts, the second one being tonight at 8.25, each show lasting an hour long.