George’s Marvellous Medicine at The Lowry Manchester Review

Reviewed by Rosemary Knight

Yesterday evening (20 February 2018), I took my excited eight-year-old granddaughter, Heidi, to watch Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine at The Lowry Quays Theatre in Salford Quays, Manchester. Heidi is a huge fan of all Roald Dahl’s stories, so she was really looking forward to this performance.

Young George is living happily with his mum and dad on their farm, looking forward to his school holiday, so that he can read his favourite book and enjoy some peace and quiet, when his mum brings the terrible news that George’s horrible grandma is going to pay them a visit. He also has to give up his bedroom for his grandma to sleep in, so George is definitely not happy. Poor George has to contend with his grandma’s nasty, selfish ways, and devises a plan to turn her into a nice person instead of a despicable old bully. George sets about making his marvellous medicine, hoping to transform his grandma into a nice, kind, lovable old lady, but unfortunately things don’t go according to plan, with hilarious results. There are wonderfully funny moments when grandma is transformed and zooms high up into the ceiling and also when the chicken, beautifully played by Chandni Mistri, manically runs around the stage clucking.

Curve and Rose Theatre Kingston have collaborated to produce this fantastic performance of George’s Marvellous Medicine, which has been adapted for the stage by David Wood. Preston Nyman is superb playing an eight-year-old George with boyish eagerness. He interacts with his young audience prompting them to remember and shout out all the ingredients to make the medicine. Lisa Howard is fantastic as George’s horrible, gin swilling, leopard clad Grandma, tearing round the stage on her mobility scooter and dismissing the family farm as ‘like living in a lavatory’. Catherine Morris as mum and Justin Wilman as George’s dad both give beautiful performances.

This is family entertainment at its best. The young audience lapped it up and enjoyed every second, taking part in all the spell making, chanting and shouting out throughout. I loved the anarchy and general sense of naughtiness of the story. The ending when grandma gets her comeuppance is absolutely wonderful.

If you get the chance to see this production, you really must do so. You will love it just as much as we did.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £14.50 to £22.50 (booking fees may apply).

George’s Marvellous Medicine is at The Lowry in Manchester from 20-24 February 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.thelowry.com or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.

The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000