Mr Wood, young rabblerouser and playwright to the younger generation, perspires freely through most of his “Magic and Music Show," and who can wonder?Snide adults who may see something critical or political in the young visitor's observation can hardly know what it is to "work" an infantile house for 90 minutes and keep amiable order.

But it is Mr Wood's gift to have it in his palm without apparent difficulty, even if he seems now and then to forget what is supposed to come next. If he doesn't know, who does? Peter Pontzen, the straightfaced pianist, never sounds as if a cue has been missed and it is perhaps the fluency of Mr Wood's humour which holds the young attention without strain.

He mixes his simple but well ordered programme with a shrewd emphasis on visual effects - on our knowing the colour of things and being able to count up to 10. Such abilities he tests by seeming to get them wrong himself

And every critic knows that at, this time of year - indeed at any time - your real comedian never patronises his audience or stoops to condescend to it.Mr Wood seldom does anything else but then he isn't a real comedian and anyhow most of us like him as he is. For although he plays down to us as conjuror and singer And demonstrator of magic gadgets, he never ceases to be bumblingly affable. He also institutes faith in his tricks. When another little girl sits on a table which is made to levitate, we marvel. Then comes the interval and the table stands alone and unattended on the stage.

Does anybody try to see through the trick by tampering with the table or even inspecting it from a distance? Not at all. If that isn't instilling faith I don't know what is. The show plays today and tomorrow. Take your ear plugs for the cheering.

Eric Shorter

"THERE’S nothing funny about underpants,” boomed David Wood sternly as he unfurled a great flapping pair of boxer shorts festooned with red polka dots.

Of course there is. Today’s youngsters are a sophisticated bunch, but it’s a blessed relief that they can still hoot with approval about references to underwear, smelly socks, and spoonerisms which result in words like stinky poo. It’s timeless humour.

There was much hooting at Mr Wood’s Magic and Music Show at the Playhouse, Oxford, yesterday.

From the first “hellooooo” this master of the deliciously silly had young and old alike in his palm singing “Quackety Quack” choruses clucking and grunting along with “Old Macdonald Had a Farm”

and singing some of his old songs, including The Gingerbread Man (he created the TV character).

Then there is the magic. Mr Wood produces objects from ears, makes rabbits vanish, and appears to make one lucky five year old ride on a magic carpet.

It is 90 minutes of enjoyable family entertainment with expert musical accompaniment by Peter Pontzen, the BBC Play School pianist.

What amuses today’s children? Forget high-tech wizardry – bring on the smelly socks and David Wood.

The show continues at the Playhouse, today at 2pm and tomorrow at 11am.

MARIA MASTRODDI