Awful Auntie theatre review: The Birmingham Stage Company brings David Walliams’ hugely popular book to the stage in this excellent new touring production.
Awful Auntie theatre review by Paul Heath.
Awful Auntie theatre review
Based on David Walliams‘ 2014 novel of the same name comes this new stage production from the celebrated Birmingham Stage Company, one of the world’s leading producers of theatre for children, and the minds behind the recent touring productions of Horrible Histories.
Their latest is a brilliantly told, wonderfully-staged version of Walliams’ famous children’s a book and a supremely entertaining night out at the theatre for young families.
The story revolves around an old English heritage abode, Saxby House, where we open to a 12-year-old girl waking from a coma, wrapped in bandages from head to foot. This young lady is Stella Saxby (Georgina Leonidas), heir to the Saxby empire, bedbound following an accident which has apparently killed her beloved mother and father. Watching over her is her absolutely ‘orrible Alberta, the Awful Auntie (Timothy Speyer) of the title who is scheming to get her hands on Stella’s inheritance. After waking from her deep sleep, Stella is thrust into the coal cellar by her vicious aunt, alone and cold to seemingly tor away. It’s a good job that she has the company of the rather lovely cockney chimney sweep, Soot (Ashley Cousins), who is there to show her a secret way out of the dark basement. Together, they must piece together recent events and use their new friendship to overcome the terrible Aunt Alberta and her really rather violent pet owl Wagner (Roberta Bellekom).
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Walliams’ seventh novel in his hugely popular series, has been obviously transferred to the stage with much love and attention. The work is adapted for theatre audiences by Neil Foster, who also directs, and while it obviously takes inspiration from the likes of Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty, and other classic fables, the very entertaining plot and wonderful acting on display make for a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all. On top form is the wonderful Georgina Leonidas (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Nine), whose portrayal of Stella is both magical and endearing. Ashley Cousins’ Soot also fares well – a near note-perfect turn as the dearly-passed spectre – who delivers some entertaining one-liners which the kids in the audience lapped up, even though some of them earned groans from the older members in the crowd.
With spectacular sets, flawless stage production and a superb accompanying score, the Birmingham Stage Company have truly brought one of Walliams’ most-loved tales to life – a play for all ages which does exactly what it sets out to. A production which will meet the expectation of the targeted audience – and lovers of the original work. Just, brilliant.
Awful Auntie theatre review by Paul Heath, March 2018.
Awful Auntie plays at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 8-11 March 2018.
