Growing up in my house, the answer to everything was always 42.

My brother referenced Babel fish, Vogon poetry and the importance of having a towel as if Monty Python quotes and Basil Fawlty impressions were going out of fashion.

As a youngster, I loved the utter nonsense of it all – Slartibartfast's name was enough to reduce me to tears of laughter.

As an adult, I loved Douglas Adams' cult classic for being cleverer, sillier and more original than I first realised.

I read the books and watched the 1981 television adaptation before I listened to the radio show, later followed by the 2005 film. Expectations were high.

Heading to Norwich's Theatre Royal, I convinced myself not to expect too much – hard work ahead of a show starring original cast Simon Jones (Arthur Dent), Geoff Mcgivern (Ford Prefect) and Susan Sheridan (Trillian).

Thankfully, 35 years after he made his debut on BBC Radio 4, Arthur Dent is still having a bad day.

This stage show created and co-produced Dirk Maggs and Jones brings the words of Adams' masterpiece alive again, paying tribute to its past while painting it anew.

Performed in radio-style with the benefit of 21st century technology to enliven the set, it was enormous fun.

When there were hiccups the cast coolly ad-libbed, and guest star Jon Culshaw (The Voice of the Book) courted big cheers. For me, Marvin the paranoid android was the robotic star - his retro design a fitting nod to the show's eccentric Britishness.

And I am happy to say Slartibartfast's name made me laugh all over again.

The show runs until tonight (Tuesday, September 17). Book online.