In a children’s world dominated by computers, television and tablets, could a ballet based on a book written before even her old dad was born keep our little one entertained?

That was the question on our lips as we sat down at London’s beautiful Peacock Theatre on Sunday afternoon to watch the wonderful stage show of Raymond Briggs’ Christmas cracker The Snowman.

The answer we, and the hundreds of other parents were pleased to discover, was an emphatic yes.

Central to the ballet are, of course, young James and the Snowman himself, accompanied by Father Christmas, his reindeer, a team of dancing snowmen and a sneering Jack Frost character, acting out their parts against a backdrop of constantly falling snow and dramatic lighting.

The ‘plot’ transports youngsters and their families into the wonderful wintry world of James and the Snowman.

As their friendship develops they embark on an adventure to the North Pole, where they meet Father Christmas and all his animals.

The ballet is now in its 15th year at the Peacock, and when you have sat through the hour-and-a-half of this performance it is easy to see just how it has withstood the test of time.

With music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including the beautiful Walking in the Air, performed by a live band, choreographed by Robert North and directed by Bill Alexander, The Snowman once again proved a perfect Christmas treat for all the family.

One criticism would be that the performance dragged a little at times, and slightly more drama would have been nice.

But really that’s probably being very picky. It kept our two-year-old enthralled, and anything that does that is OK by us.

Our fears were allayed and at the end our daughter was literally crying out for more as we left the theatre and ventured out into a frosty night of our own.