Young Arietty Clock (Eleanor Yates) has always dreamt of a different life. You see she’s a Borrower, like a human but miniscule.

Arietty lives beneath the floorboards of an old house with her parents Pom (David Oldcock) and Homily (Julia Hills).

They live in fear of the ‘human beans’ up above. But Arietty still yearns to break free and discover life above the floorboards.

After being inducted in the ways of ‘borrowing’ by her father, Arietty makes a chance encounter with a boy. But he isn’t just any boy, he is human boy.

Panic ensues, they’ve been spotted!

The Clocks will have to emigrate. If ‘The Boy’ (Julian Hoare) knows where they are it’s only a matter of time before mean Mrs Driver (Nicola Blackman) and Crampfurl (Matt Deveraux) learn of their location too.

So they run away to find their lost relatives in a nearby field. Here Arietty meets a clued up Borrower named Spiller (Julian Hoare). He teaches Arietty how to survive in the real world.

But Arietty comes to realise that she knew what to do all along. She is a natural adventurer.

The Borrowers is an enchanting show. It is whimsical and light-hearted. The set is wonderful and transports you into the miniture world of the Borrowers. Here is a show that all the family will adore.

The Borrowers is showing at The Nuffield until 8 January 2012. For more information visit The Nuffield's web site or call the Box Office on 02380 671771.