The Twits at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review
The Twits
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
24-28 January 2017
Reviewed by Tricia Shaw
The Twits is one of those stories that everyone who has ever read the book remembers for the disgusting filthy beard of Mr Twit, ugly Mrs Twit’s glass eye and of course all the wicked tricks they play on each other; the show is equally memorable and revolting.
The evening started off with some practice audience participation of shouting, Mexican waves and pointing at people with beards before the band began their musical introduction to the rather foul couple.
As the walls of their caravan fell away to reveal the dirty pair, a wave of nausea passed over the audience to the sounds of “eugh” and “yuck”. The scenery and costumes helped enable the actors (Robert Pickavance and Jo Mousley) to perfectly portray Roald Dahl’s crass characters.
The stage show is very true to the book with very little embellishment and very little omitted; although, as my son pointed out, the order of events is not the same! A simple but clever interpretation brings to life the various awful tricks they play on each other. “Mrs Twit gets a stretching” was perhaps our favourite.
Having captured the Muggle Wump monkey family, The Twits keep them locked up in a cage in the garden in between training sessions. They are very sad and fed up of being treated so cruelly and long to get back to the rainforest and their friend the roly poly bird. However before they can do so they need to escape, save the birds from being turned into bird pie and teach Mr and Mrs Twit a lesson all with help from the audience. My personal favourite was the Girl Muggle Wump, played by Charlotte Workman.
All in all, the cast of 7 talented actors /acrobats / musicians provided excellent entertainment for my 8 year old and his friend who were glued to the action throughout.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is a lovely building with clean modern facilities and very friendly, helpful staff. It is easy to find and has plenty of parking nearby.
For a full 90 minutes of fun and laughter for children aged 6+ make sure you don’t miss out on this production. It is showing at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Saturday 28th January before continuing its tour with performances at Brighton Theatre Royal (31 Jan – 4 Feb), Royal & Derngate, Northampton (14 – 18 Feb), Northern Stage (21 – 25 Mar), Nuffield, Southampton (28 Mar – 2 Apr) and the Rose Theatre, Kingston (5 – 16 Apr). For further details and photos of the show visit: www.curveonline.co.uk/about-us/press-office/curve-announce-phizz-whizzing-tour-and-extra-dates-for-roald-dahls-the-twits
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19 to £24.50 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
The Twits is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury until 28 January 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.
Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UG | 0844 871 7607
