“wonderfully witty, packed with mischievous gags that appeal right across the generations”
Built in 1873 as an answer to South London’s Crystal Palace, Alexandra Palace burnt to the ground just sixteen days after its opening. Two years later it was reconstructed as a kind of pleasure dome, with palm court, circus, concert hall with its own park land and railway station. Hidden at its heart was the spectacular theatre, that rivalled many in the West End with its size and ambition. Welcoming stars like Dame Ellen Terry, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.
A home for opera, dance, ballet, music hall, theatre and pantomime it entertained thousands in its heyday but eventually struggled to compete and, for eighty years, has been closed to the public, a hidden gem perched high above the city. Until now. Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the abandoned theatre is unveiled in all its former glory. The auditorium, resembling a forgotten and crumbling Roman temple, is vast but feels intimate at the same time. Reflecting its former use, the programming embraces a variety of stand-up comedy, classical recitals, jazz music; but the first big stage show is “Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas”.
Birmingham Stage Company has been bringing Horrible Histories to life on the stage for ten horrible years now, and this latest version, in association with Derby Theatre, retains the anarchic mayhem that has become their trademark, while still managing to impart a little bit of knowledge onto its young and older, though not necessarily wiser, audience.
When Christmas comes under threat from a vengeful Santa imposter out to ruin Christmas, it is up to one young boy to save the day. A tight-knit troupe of eight actors take us on a whirlwind trip through Christmases past and present. Watson, the intrepid young hero, played with wide-eyed gusto by Tom Cawte, joins forces with ‘Shirley’ Holmes (Erika Poole) in a race to save Christmas. Speeding back through the centuries on Holmes’ time-travelling scooter, they join forces with Charles Dickens, King Charles, Henry VIII, St Nicholas (the bishop of Myra, in Turkey) and Oliver Cromwell, among others. Completely absurd yet informative, it perfectly mixes humour into its incisive, laconic low-down on the background of Christmas Day.
Terry Deary’s script (adapted from his own original publications) is wonderfully witty, packed with mischievous gags that appeal right across the generations. Never patronising, nor descending into superfluous slapstick, it satisfies the senses of the kids in all of us. Ally Pally’s auditorium is quite cavernous, but the talented multi-rolling cast create a warm glow that easily reaches the upper balconies.
Chris Gunter as Sydney Clause, the Grinch-like antagonist, and Ashley Bowden as his shambling side-kick, Rudolph, are a cracking comedy duo. Gunter’s sinister caricature of the ‘Bad Santa’ has shades of Tim Burton, with as many dimensions too; so that ultimately his performance transcends mere ‘panto’ and, like the show itself, is ultimately quite moving. In the meantime, Neal Foster, leads us through the Yuletide backstory shifting with ease between many characters with impressive versatility.
By giving us a potted history of Christmas the cast dig to the core of what Christmas should really be about. This horribly hilarious show is a real celebration of Christmas.
BIRMINGHAM STAGE COMPANY CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH
MORE BEST OF BARMY BRITAIN!
Birmingham Stage Company presents
Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain!
Written by Terry Deary and Neal Foster
4 August – 2 September
Garrick Theatre
This August, Birmingham Stage Company takes over the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End to present Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain, celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary. This marks 12 years of Horrible Histories Live on Stage and 6 years in the West End. This special instalment of Barmy Britain follows the sell-out successes of Barmy Britain – Parts One, Two and Three as well as last years The Best of Barmy Britain and will feature more of the horribly best bits from all past productions plus a brand new scene about Shakespeare. More Best of Barmy Britain opens on 7 August with previews from the 4 August and runs until 2 September. Tickets go on sale via Amazon Tickets pre-sale on the 24 January and will go on general sale on 30 January.
The production will run underneath Birmingham Stage Company’s stage adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling book – Gangsta Grannywhich opens at the Garrick on the 1 August with previews from 26 July and runs until 3 September. BSC have also just announced they will produce an adaptation of another of David Walliams’ hit stories – Awful Auntie which embarks on a national tour this September.
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!
So it’s time to prepare yourselves for a special production of Horrible Histories featuring MORE of your favourite characters from our barmy past – and a brand new scene with wordy Will!
Find out why the Romans were revolting! Could you survive the vicious Vikings? Can evil Elizabeth entertain England? Would you party with the Puritans? Clap along with crazy King Charles! Dare you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin? Vomit with the vile Victorians and prepare to do battle in the frightful First World War!
It’s history with the nasty bits left in!
Terry Deary, the creator of Horrible Histories, is one of Britain’s best-selling authors of the 21st Century and the tenth most-borrowed author in British libraries. There are around 50 Horrible Histories titles with total sales of 25 million in 40 countries. He is also the author of over 200 fiction and non-fiction books for young people including his series of books Dangerous Days.
Neal Foster is Actor/Manager of The Birmingham Stage Company. Since its foundation the BSC has staged over seventy productions and become one of the world’s leading producers of theatre for children and their families. During the BSC’s twenty-five year history, Foster has performed roles including Grandma in George’s Marvellous Medicine, the title role in Skellig at The New Victory Theatre, New York, Storey in Awful Egyptians (Sydney Opera House) and Rex in Barmy Britain (Garrick Theatre, Apollo Theatre and Sydney Opera House). As a director, his work includes Fantastic Mr Fox, Tom’s Midnight Garden, The Jungle Book (all national tours) and Barmy Britain – Part One! Two!, Three! (Garrick Theatre) and The Best of Barmy Britain (Apollo Theatre), all of which he co-wrote with Terry Deary. He has also adapted and directed the national tour of Gangsta Granny by David Walliams which will be opening in the West End this August as well as the recently announced tour of Walliams’ Awful Auntie.
Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain is directed by Neal Foster, design is by Jackie Trousdale, lighting by Jason Taylor, and sound by Nick Sagar, music by Matthew Scott and choreography by Kenn Oldfield.
Horrible Histories Live shows are created by Neal Foster and The Birmingham Stage Company. BSC has been touring Horrible Histories for twelve years throughout the UK, Ireland, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Other current productions include David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie.
Horrible Histories are recommended for ages 5 to 105! (106 year olds may not like it as much).
