SINCE the National Theatre's acclaimed War Horse, life-size animal puppets have been popping up like daisies in productions on and off the West End.

Among the myriad of theatre companies jumping on the puppet band wagon, Dodgy Clutch have joined forces with The Market Theatre of Johannesburg in South Africa to present the gentle, charming and touching play Elephant.

Mixing traditional African dance, song and physical theatre, the show tells the story of tribal Chief Zanenvula (Nhlanhla Mahlangu), who after being refused entry to heaven is forced to review his life and discover the reasons why he is unable to enter paradise.

Befriended by the devil, brilliantly played by Paddy O'Connor as a lecherous second-hand car salesmen called Lucky Louis, the incredulous chief soon realises his greatest sin stems from his time as a young man, jostling for power with his younger brother and a fateful encounter with an elephant family.

Although the exuberant, but lengthy, song and dance sequences become a little tiresome by the end, the play is, nevertheless, heart-warming and frequently touching.

But the stars of the show are undoubtedly the elephants, which are beautifully brought to life by the puppeteers, from the smallest roll of the head down to the gentle giants' graceful walk.

Combined with a moving live score, Elephant is a life-affirming show which evokes a timeless magic lacking in many big budget productions currently on tour.

All in all, it is a delightfully innocent treat for young and old.

Elephant. Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich. Closes on Sunday. 020 8858 7755 or visit greenwichtheatre.org.uk