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Super Gran
Knows Best
David Walliams’ Gangsta
Granny
Sunderland Empire
Until Sunday 14th
May 2017
David Walliams is rapidly
becoming well known to the younger generation as the author of best selling
stories. With its experience of creating children’s shows, Birmingham Stage is a natural partner at bringing his tales to the
stage. Together they have produced a
show that’s ideal for creative key stage 2 & 3 children and help encourage
them to enjoy the delights of live theatre.
Ben
(Ashley Cousins) is an 11 year old lad who has to spend his Friday nights with
his Granny (Gilly Tompkins) so his Mum (Rachel Stanley) and Dad (Benedict
Martin) can go dancing. His parent’s have got the Strictly bug as they frequently dance around the stage. He dreams
not of dancing, but of a career in plumbing.
Granny
smells of cabbage. No wonder as every meal that she prepares is based upon
cabbage. Cabbage soup, cabbage pie and even cabbage ice cream. Granny also
thinks a good night in is one playing Scrabble. Ben has other ideas about diet
and entertainment.
Ben’s
ideas about Granny change when he spots her crime and gangster books. Then he
spots a biscuit tin full of jewellery. Is there more to granny than meets the
eye?
I
had my son in tow for this evening’s show and he said he found the show both
funny and entertaining. I asked him if he thought there were too many fart
jokes - he reminded me that to a young lad there is no such thing. Indeed Neal
Foster’s adaptation and direction puts the 11 year old audience member central
to the performance.
There
is some dancing, choreographed by Paul Chantry and Rae Piper. Indeed, during
the teen dancing competition local girl Rhiane Finley, from Sunderland, had a chance to show us
all her skills. Rhiane had been successful in a search for a local dancer to
join the show. She was a perfect compliment to what was about to follow (but no
spoilers here!)
The
set design was well thought out by Jacqueline Trousdale. The way in which the
units revolved to turn bedrooms into a shop and then into Grannies’ apartment
helped maintain the flow of the show.
The
show’s two central characters need to keep the young audience’s attention and
Ashley Cousins and Gilly Tompkins do a cracking job. Supported by an engaging
ensemble, they created a number of laughs, especially in the second act. Liz Garland, for example, shows us her moves
as the Queen.
So
is there a strong message to the tale? Oh yes! That we are reminded to make the
most of our grandparents as we’ll miss them when they’re gone didn’t go
unnoticed.
The
creators of theatre often struggle to produce shows that fill the gap between
the nursery years and the GCSE standards, Gangsta Granny is a perfect for the
middle years. The CBBC generation will enjoy
the warm tale of family life and cabbages. A perfect way to celebrate the end
of last week’s SATs.
Review
by Stephen
Oliver.
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The 10:30am show on Saturday 13th
May is a relaxed performance.
Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network
charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online
bookings.
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