⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A humorous, heart-warming story with messages that even us grown-ups can take away with us.
Last night we headed to watch Gangsta Granny Live on the Wolverhampton Grand stage and it was brilliant.
Gangsta Granny is a story by one of Britain’s most popular writers and comic actors, David Walliams. You may have seen our review last week of another of his stories turned into a play, Billionaire Boy. We thought the show was fabulous and as such, we were incredibly excited to see his Gangsta Granny show. Both David Walliams adaptations have been performed by the masters of children’s theatre – Birmingham Stage Company.
Gangsta Granny tells the story of Ben (Justin Davies) an 11 year old boy who finds spending time every Friday night with his Granny (Isabel Ford) boring. Cabbage this and cabbage that. He just wants to be at home reading his plumbing magazine. His parents (Jason Furnival and Jess Nesling) will not listen to his requests of staying home. They’re too busy with their hobby – dancing and drooling over Flavio (Irfan Damani).
One day, Ben wants a biscuit and finds a biscuit tin on a top shelf. Looking inside he finds something that makes him realise maybe his Granny isn’t that boring after all.
We follow Ben and his Granny on their adventures which have them in the Tower of London, meeting the Queen!
The play had my daughters laughing hysterically, crying and dancing on their feet. They’ve not stopped talking about how brilliant the show was and asking if we can see it again.
It is clear to see that Birmingham Stage Company are full of talented actors and actresses and they really do make these shows brilliant. Not just for the children but for the adults too. We laughed, a lot. Isabel Ford is fabulous as Granny. Her movements and gait were performed perfectly and Justin Davies as Ben kept his accent pitch perfect throughout the performance and really kept all of our attention. Sometimes the girls can get a bit fidgety but not last night, they were won over.
Our favourite character was Mr Parker (Jason Furnival) who had us all laughing hysterically. Matilda was really belly laughing, nearly falling off her seat. We all have one of those neighbours don’t we… and if we don’t, maybe you’re Mr Parker. Ha!
David Walliams stories are fun, creative and clever. They come with morals to the stories and lessons to take away with you.
This one reminds us that even our cabbage eating grannies can be fun and nobody lives for ever. Value that time you have with people, do not wish it away. One day, the memories and stories will be all that you have left.
Gangsta Granny is at Wolverhampton Grand until Saturday 26th February 2022.
Book tickets here: https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
Disclaimer: We were invited along to the press showing. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.