Gangsta Granny at the Regent Theatre Stoke Review

Gangsta Granny
Regent Theatre, Stoke

8-11 June 2016

www.atgtickets.com/regent-theatre

Reviewed by Katy Nettleton

I was very lucky to be invited to watch Gangsta Granny (by David Walliams) performed by The Birmingham Stage Company at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent for its opening night, and what a show it was.

I had not read the book and decided to take my 6 year old girls with me based on others’ reviews as I thought it “sounded age appropriate” and it was. There was no swearing, with only a couple of “grey area words” and no nudity! My nephews (aged 9 and 7) filled us in on the story before we went; “There is a boy called Ben who lives with crazy, dancing loving parents who send him to his Granny’s every Friday. He doesn’t like going to his Granny’s as all she does is feed him cabbage soup, plays Scrabble and send him to bed early. But when Ben finds out his Granny is cool and steals from others’, they both set up a plan to steal the Queen’s Jewels but they don’t get it right and end up just being poor!” Having now seen the play I can confirm that some of this is true and other bits are their interpretation of the book. That is the thing with books and children – it lets them create characters in their mind and play out what they look like etc., so I would be interested for their feedback (they are going to watch one nearer their home in July).

Although I have not read the book I did wonder if the play would live up to the “hype”, and in my opinion it exceeded it. Ben (played by Ashyley Cousins) was brilliant, he projected his voice brilliantly and I loved the “NNNNOOOO” sections! You got the feeling that he went from just “pacifying his parent’s” by seeing his Granny to actually being interested in her and spending time (irrespective of the activities they are participating in).

Granny (played by Gilly Tompkins) was exceptional, she danced, moved and spoke like an old lady but her yoga was hilarious with both my girls giggling away! I thought Granny was the “star” of the show and you really felt for her when she was with her Doctor and I think any parent can relate to the “I have something in my eye” rather than tell our loved ones why we are crying, this was moving. Maybe I am a sensitive person but I really felt like I knew Granny and felt for her when her son and daughter-in-law were not going to see her much as “their lives were a bit busy at the moment”. It made me think that we need to make time for others’ and although a funny story it was, Gangsta Granny made some very poignant points. My girls did not stop giggling at her “cabbage trumps” and said they could even smell them!

This was a brilliant play in every aspect, the performers (cast), staging and costume as well as music and lighting. It did not feel a “show on the cheap” and there was detail in everything. The way in which 3, 4 sided buildings turned into a settee, hospital bed, children’s bed, a TV, a cottage, The Tower of London, The Queen’s Jewels (to name a few!) was brilliant. The level of details could be seen on each angle and you were waiting to guess what was coming next!

Mum and The Queen were played by Louise Bailey (the understudy named in the programme) and was brilliant. You could not fault her acting, dancing or vocals. I couldn’t stop laughing at The Matron (played by Alison Fitzjohn) and couldn’t wait until she popped back on stage carrying out a different role or having a little “jig” when moving props!

The scenes were interlinked seamlessly and who would have thought that Flavio from Strictly Come Dancing was to make a guest appearance and run their very own dance show! I loved how this seemed to fit into the story so well and got the whole audience (young and old) giggling and clapping along. We loved being able to get up and dance and meant that children were being engaged in the show and able to stretch their legs!

Personally my favourite part was Granny dancing, and for the girls they liked “the dance show” and the Queen. It took me a little while explaining to them that it was not the real Queen and her Crown Jewels!!

This is a family friendly show and suitable for those who would ordinarily struggle to concentrate for periods of time (in my opinion). It was 2 hours 10 minutes in total including a 25 minute interval and with it being for a young and older audience there was plenty of rustling of crisp and sweets packets throughout. This may just have been our showing, however I think this is common in the family shows along with the occasion.

We needed to purchase 2 inflatable booster seats (£5 each and available from the refreshments stand) as sadly my 6 year olds were unable to see due to sitting in the stalls and having tall people in front! However these are now our booster seats and I am sure we will be using them again for more shows at the theatre.

I do love this theatre, the atmosphere is always friendly and there is plenty of helpful staff around.

Overall I will give this 5 out of 5 and recommend it to every child aged 6 plus (that includes us adults who think we are still children). It is for families and individuals – a show for all.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost £24.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Gangsta Granny is at the Regent Theatre in Stoke until 11 June 2016.  For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7649.

Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1AP | 0844 871 7649