EVERYONE loves Star Wars - at least everyone who was at least a nipper when the first film came out in 1977.

It’s impossible to imagine another film which enthuses kids in the same way more than 30 years after its release.

It should look dated. It doesn’t. Far from it, in fact. The sets, the characters and its trademark icons - blasters, space ships and of course light sabres - still look cool and cutting edge.

In short, the film, it’s two sequels and, many would argue, even its three prequels, have maintained director George Lucas’s phenomenal ability to thrill - appealing to the child in us all.

Golden light sabres all round then, to whatever bright spark came up with the idea of the latest spin-off - Star Wars in Concert.

This touring spectacle sees the John Williams score performed by the incomparable Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - to the backdrop of a pastiche of scenes from the films - and live narration by one of the all-time heroes of the series: Anthony Daniels - aka C3PO.

The concert has toured the world, and on Easter Bank Holiday weekend hit London for a spectacular at the O2 Arena.

Dragged along by my Star Wars-mad seven-year-old, this long-in-the-tooth fan of Skywalker, Solo et al rolled up at the Dome, with an air of barely-surpressed childhood excitement.

The organisers had pulled out all the stops to make this a day to remember for all Sci-fi nuts, with original props from the films (including helmets, weapons and even the real Darth Vader’s suit!) and actors dressed as the characters (Boba Fett, storntrooopers, snowtroopers, Han solo, darth Maul and even a beeping whistling, spinning R2D2) wandering the lobbies around the venue, striking poses for pictures with beaming admirers - many of whom old enough to know better!

And that was the first thing that struck me. Foolishly imagining it to be a bash for kids, it soon emerged that the number of young ‘uns - many dressed as their favourite Jedi or baddy - was easily exceeded by the ranks of adults - in comic T-shirts and clutching expensive programmes. As i was saying... this cosmic fairy tale appeals to all!

A concert by the Royal Philharmonic is always going to be impressive, and what better way to introduce kids to the majesty of a wolrd-class orchestra in full flow.

Grouped together under themes such as ‘droids, ‘romance’ and ‘the empire’, the orchestra perform the best-loved pieces of music - including the hilariously jazzy Cantina theme by the wind section.

Daniels, dressed not as a droid, but in a sober suit - with gold waistcoast - was eloquent and amusing, occasionally lapsing into character or bubbling with praise for the well-mannered cut glass English-voiced robot which made him his fortune.

Yet it was a restrained and lovingly-delivered performance which avoided falling into parody or side-ways in-jokes, and was pitched at a level enjoyed by anorak adults and small children alike.

The action on the huge HD screens was gripping, as you’d expect, with lasers adding to the atmosphere - as well as the hundreds of green mini-light sabres being waved by the young ‘padawans’ (that’s Star Wars speak for novices) in the crowd.

A triumph then; of galactic proportions.

I left having delighted in an extensive performance by some of the finest classical musicians on earth - while my son, like every other youngster in the venue - was beaming.

Who’d have thought a seven-year-old could not only sit still, but actively enjoy a classical concert.

Put it down to the power of The Force!