CHARLES Dickens’ first big break as a novelist in 1836 has a strangely prophetic resonance with modern times.

For it was after the introduction of Pickwick’s trusty manservant Sam Weller that the book’s success was assured and - to use present-day cyber terminology – went ‘viral’ overnight.

The early Victorians took the cheeky cockney to their hearts. Sam Weller jokes abounded, there were bootleg copies of the book, theatrical performances galore and Weller merchandise.

In fact, you just couldn’t get enough of Weller. Like today’s David Beckham, he was absolutely everywhere.

Nicola Boyce’s adaptation for the stage stays joyously faithful to Dickens’ intentions, taking us on a hilarious helter-skelter of a journey as the eccentric Pickwick travels around the country trying to understand the foibles of human nature.

It’s all very much in your face, a cross between a gentleman’s early 19th century progress and a safari through a kind of Serengeti game reserve - only with great competing beasts of the human sort.

John D Collins (’Allo, ’Allo) is the very personification of the great bumbler himself, while Dean Gaffney and David Callister respectively playing the roles of Weller and the gloriously pompous Alfred Jingle, soon have the audience laughing both with and at them.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Wheatley as Rachel Wardle/ Mrs Leo Hunter sails into port like a man o’ war with all guns blazing, manipulating and at the same time diluting all the rampaging testosterone-fuelled collective egos.

She brings a Restoration comedy feel to the proceedings with her own brand of witty asides as our merry band encounters duelling, elopement, bribery, fist-fights and ultimately poor old Pickwick being slung in the slammer for debt.

Scott Gray as Augustus Snodgrass was an absolute hoot with a ridiculous laugh that peppered every discourse like persistent dandruff on a gentleman’s coat collar, while Daniel Robinson made for a gloriously fey Nathaniel Winkle.

Directed by the intriguingly-named Ian Dickens, this production provides a perfect, period pick-me-up and is just what’s needed as the festive season draws ever closer.

It runs until Saturday, December 7. Head for the hills and check it out, folks.