Gangsta Granny At Alhambra Theatre Bradford, Review

Reviewed by Tracey Stoker

If like us, your children spent a lot of lockdown reading David Walliams books, then you will probably already know the story of Gangsta Granny. But would it be as good bought to life on stage by the Birmingham Stage Company. And would our son enjoy it? The answer to both his questions is a huge yes!

So it’s Friday night. Friday night is Mum and dad’s childfree night, as Ben stays over at Granny’s house. But Ben doesn’t want to stay at Granny’s house as she is boring and she makes him eat cabbage! Everything is cabbage. Cabbage soup, cabbage pie, cabbage mousse, the list goes on and on. Everywhere in Granny’s house stinks of cabbage, including Granny’s bottom!!

Only tonight is different. When Ben finds a biscuit tin in Granny’s lounge, he is in for a surprise. Instead of biscuits, the tin is full of Jewels!. Turns out Granny isn’t as boring as Ben thinks. She is a jewellery thief or as Ben renames her ‘Gangsta Granny!’

Can Ben persuade Granny to do one last job? Will the neighbourhood watch man Mr ‘nosy’ Parker find out what they are up to and stop them? And what does the Queen have to do with it all? Get yourselves to the show and find out.

The set consists of three blocks, which were rotated as and when needed in the story line. This was cleverly done with music and dancers. This made it part of the story and I don’t think the kids in the audience even noticed.

All of the Cast were brilliant. Some of the cast played two different parts. They played them really well as our child never noticed. Justin Davies who played Ben is a star in the making. He was cheeky and funny and really believable. And we loved ‘strictly mad’ mum and dad, played by Jess Nesling and Jason Furnival. They lived for their Friday night dancing. Keep an eye out and see which other characters they play. But our favourite character has to be Granny played by Isabel Ford. We loved her and she reminded us of the traditional Granny of old. Who didn’t have a Granny who would wipe your face with a bit of spit on a tissue! We loved her speeding round the stage on her mobility scooter and her cabbage smelling bottom burps! We loved Gangsta Granny. And then, at the end of the show, they even got the kids in the audience to join in with a bit of dancing. Really good family entertainment.

Bradford Alhambra theatre is a beautiful building, and very easy to find. There was staff on every door to help assist you into the building and hand gel stations on each door and throughout the building. The toilets are situated on the ground floor where you will also find the ticket kiosk and a small kiosk selling confectionery and soft drinks. On the first floor, you will find the bar and seating area. You can pre order your interval drinks here. On leaving the theatre, you can now exit through numerous doors thus avoiding large gatherings of people. There are plenty of carparks nearby to the theatre. If using the NCP carpark, you can ask for a discounted parking ticket at the ground floor kiosk.

All in all a fantastic show, you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £19.00 to £21.00 (booking fees may apply).
Birmingham Stage Company return with a tale of a Gangsta Granny …..Live on Stage! at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 30th September to 2nd October 2021, for more information or to book tickets visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01274 432000.

Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | 01274 432000