Simon Callow was right, Slava's Snowshow is the most beautiful thing you will ever see in a theatre.

It is also the strangest, most bewildering thing an adult will ever witness on a stage and the most magical, thrilling thing a child could ever behold, in any walk of life.

Slava's trick, however, is that every adult in the audience at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday night had regressed to their formative years long before this 56-year-old Russian clown pulled off his spectacular finale.

After being almost blinded by bright lights and battered by a fierce snow storm, it took a while to focus on the scene taking place all around me.

The sight of parents trampling over their kids to touch the giant balloons that floated around the theatre was proof that this guy could retire and become a psychologist - he would earn a fortune.

Not that Slava's show should be confused with regression therapy, it may have that effect, but it is pure entertainment.

Slava manages to combine the clever physical comedy of silent movie stars like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, with eerie music reminiscent of Trigger Happy TV and stunning visual effects that he perfected at the Cirque Du Soleil.

Whilst his comedy genius is hidden behind subtle facial expressions and body movements - a wink here and a nudge there - the floating balls, dry ice, snow storms and light show add the finishing touches.

Other highlights include a massive spider's web spun over the entire audience, a torrent of bubbles and clowns of all shapes and sizes who seemed able to grow and shrink at will.

The overall effect is that of a strange dream, or dare I say, some sort of chemically induced hallucination.

It is all very innocent though, I think.

Slava's Snowshow, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, until Saturday, October 7, 7.30pm, matinee on Thursday from 2.30pm, £8-£27. Call 0870 060 6646 or visit newwimbledontheatre.co.uk.