Billionaire Boy At The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review

Reviewed by Kat Harrison

When my eldest received a David Walliams’ book for Christmas, our house soon all became fans. So when we had the opportunity to head to Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre to review a stage adaptation of ‘Billionaire Boy’, we felt like Lottery Winners.

We couldn’t wait and indeed it was great, in fact it was charming. It’s hugely entertaining, has a heart warming message surrounding the value of true friendship and is a perfect introduction to live theatre for children.

Aimed at 5-13 year olds and from the award-winning West End Producers of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie, Birmingham Stage Company tell the story of 12-year-old Joe Spud, the wealthiest boy in the country, who is rich in money but not in friends. He starts his local school intent on finding new pals but there’s lessons to be learnt along the way. Mainly about what money can’t buy.

Given the tale is a true to form Walliams’ creation, it has of course, plenty of toilet humour; extra poetic licence given in that the ‘Billionaire’ of ‘Billionaire Boy’ is all thanks to a booming loo-roll business – ‘Bum Fresh’. Snigger, snigger. But what I really expected and guess I wanted, was more silliness, more grossness and more giggles. Who knew my humour was so juvenile? I’m far beyond the age of the target audience but I’d come prepared for content that matched page upon page of face contorting, kid-winning coarseness. I needed more.

For me, the show didn’t quite capture that David Walliams’ magic that leaps from the pages of his books. I do feel that parts of the story were lost due to poor sound quality. If I’d had a remote control, I’d have been pressing pretty hard on that plus button. The dialogue wasn’t always clear and I feel I missed out on quite a lot, particularly humour, and especially during the songs, that had I heard properly would have likely satisfied my craving for gags to make me gag! The School Dinner Lady – Mrs Trafe (superbly acted by Understudy Amy Hargreaves) had plenty of disgusting items on her menu to tell us about, but aside from a spot of deep fried blu tack, I struggled to catch the disturbing dishes and their inedible ingredients. Disappointed!

‘Billionaire Boy’ was much more musical than I expected and the original songs by Jak Poore did successfully add an extra dimension to the play and helped refresh and retain the audience’s interest. The songs are catchy and both well-performed and choreographed, with a particular favourite of this family being a repetitive phrase song performed by the teachers, enforcing their favourite phrases to mark their authority. “Walk, don’t run!” Took me right back to the classroom corridors.

The musical encore too had everyone clapping along; and a sideways glance at my seven-year-old caught her eye and her huge smile.

I was mighty impressed by the set. From the imagination of Jacqueline Trousdale comes a castle like structure, seemingly built from stacks upon stacks of loo rolls. Initially presented to us as Spud’s mansion, throughout the show, we get to explore every nook and cranny, revealing hidden cupboards and extra pieces of set, creating a classroom, a canteen, a living room, a shop and even moving to reveal a fully operational helicopter. It’s a real Pandora’s Box of a set. It certainly impressed me and its what my girls have talked about most since. It‘s an amazing bit of architecture. The girls would have loved to jump up on stage and explore it.

The cast play multiple roles to create an ensemble of suitably stereotyped characters. The over the top caricature style of acting not only complements Walliams’ wacky writing but mostly helps identify the characters and prevent confusion when the same actor is playing more than one role. I say this with younger members of the audience in mind, but to be honest, it took me far too long to realise that Actor Matthew Mellalieu played both Joe’s dad and Joe’s bully, superbly pulling the wool over my eyes and protecting adults throughout the auditorium from tough questions. Saying that, both Matthew Gordon and Jake Lomas, who played Joe and his best friend Bob respectively, whilst capturing the very essence of the show, were both equally likeable and puppy-like, and in identical school uniforms I did find myself getting confused as to who was who. Get myself to Specsavers?

The show had just one stab at audience interaction of a pantomime-esque fashion. Spud’s Dad, the bolshy Billionaire, encouraged the audience to shout out that they’d too like a flight in his private helicopter. The kids’ loved it but as a one-off interlude, it kind of stuck out like a sore thumb. I’m torn between wanting it cut and instead calling upon the cast to hand over to the audience on a couple more occasions.

It may need a little fine-tuning, starting with its sound but ‘Billionaire Boy’ is fun. It’s silly. It’s a 110 minute escape into the World of Walliams and if you’re already a fan, you’ll love it. If you haven’t read any of his books, you’ll come away planning to read his whole collection. There’s a strong cast, a sturdy set and a super story. Book your tickets, get your bum on a seat and (loo) roll with it!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (though the kids gave it 5 and I think their opinion counts more!)

– Billionaire Boy is at The Bradford Alhambra until Saturday 23rd July.

Tickets: £19.50 – £21.50

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/billionaire-boy-247347
Box Office: 01274 432000

See all the Tour Dates @
https://www.birminghamstage.com/shows/billionaire-boy/tour-info