Gangsta Granny at the Theatre Royal Brighton Review
Gangsta Granny
Theatre Royal, Brighton
2-6 March 2016
Reviewed by Meresa Bergin
I was thrilled to be asked to review this play, my husband and I are huge fans of David Walliams after seeing Gangsta Granny at Christmas two years ago and we really enjoyed the one on this Christmas.
I love to see children at the theatre and I wasn’t disappointed as the place was packed with excited youngsters, there was a stall selling the books and other things such as key rings and eye masks, which I found were reasonable priced. We were given a Souvenir Programme which had puzzles and other fun things to do which at £5 I did feel was slightly overpriced.
The play itself, I had mixed feelings about I felt the adults were very good especially Louise Bailey as the granny, she is normally the understudy but I am pleased I got to see her in the role. The atmosphere was wonderful, the children were so excited and interacting, which I loved and the stewards seemed to really enjoy being around them. I also liked the music and dancing and felt the set changes were handled well, Ashley Cousins as Ben and Granny had great chemistry and their scenes together were very believable.
Sadly I did feel the set was a little lacking, especially the family home which was just a pull out sofa and Ben’s bed, I loved Granny’s little kitchen and just felt there could have been more. The chemistry between Laura Girling as mum and Benedict Martin as dad was amazing and I really enjoyed those scenes but I really felt the connection with Ashley wasn’t there as it was with Louise. The children around me didn’t seem to have any issues and clearly loved the show, I think in this respect it is well worth the money but as an adult I did notice things like the set and interactions.
I love going to the theatre and always have a wonderful time, the staff are normally very welcoming and ready to help with regret I do sadly have to comment on an issue we had this time. We were shown to our seats which were in the second circle and sat down, I then crossed my legs so my leg looked like it was on the chair in front but was actually over my knee and the steward approached me and told me to take my feet off the chair, both myself and my husband told her I didn’t actually have my feet on the chair but she repeated the remark a few times and I did feel very embarrassed. I also noted a lot of the children had their feet on the chairs and she did not remark on this.
All in all we enjoyed the play but the service given on this visit was not what I am used to at the Theatre Royal (rude stewards) and did upset my night but I do feel young fans of the shows and books well really enjoy this play.
Rating: 3/5
Tickets cost £21.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Gangsta Granny is a the Theatre Royal in Brighton until 6March 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7650.
Theatre Royal. New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD | 0844 871 7650
