Gangsta Granny at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
Gangsta Granny
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
28 June to 2 July 2016
Reviewed by Catherine Brown
David Walliams’ book ‘Gangsta Granny’ has been remastered by the Birmingham Stage Company and is currently being performed at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. We went to see it with our sons aged 6 and 8 and had a fantastic experience.
The theatre is in the centre of the city and very close to a choice of car parks. We were welcomed warmly by the theatre staff and browsed the selection of David Walliams books and merchandise on offer. Upstairs there was a bar and refreshment stalls, with plenty of snacks and drinks to choose from before entering the auditorium.
We were seated in the stalls and had a superb view of the stage. The theatre was full of school groups and there was a slight delay while we waited for the final coach load to arrive, but this was explained to us by the theatre staff.
‘Gangsta Granny’ revolves around school boy Ben (played by Ashley Cousins), his dance fanatic parents and his cabbage loving Granny (played by Gilly Tompkins). Ben is sent to stay at his Granny’s every week where he has to endure games of scrabble and cabbage soup while his Mum and Dad enjoy the glitter of Strictly Stars Dancing. One evening, while looking for something in her biscuit tin, Ben stumbles across his Granny’s stash of jewels. After a bit of detective work, he discovers that she is the famous ‘Black Cat’ jewel thief.
Ben then encourages his Granny to try for the one treasure she has never attempted before – the Crown Jewels. He uses his new found enthusiasm for school to work out a plan and they embark on one final mission. Their trip to the Tower is interrupted by royalty and their mischief discovered by nosy neighbour Mr Parker. I will leave it for you to see for yourself if they get away with it!
The performances of all the actors is excellent and the staging is very clever – bunk beds, jewellery cases and TV screens appear and disappear as if by magic. The support cast in particular deserve a mention, my favourite line from one of the strictly judges being ‘If you’re going to boo, at least do it properly!’ Raj the shopkeeper is also very true to the book with his buy 72 get one free offers on out of date food.
The audience were giggling and groaning throughout the performance. The storyline would catch the imagination of people of all ages. The message about caring for elderly relatives was a subtle and poignant one and dealt with very well.
I recommend a trip to see this show, especially if you are a David Walliams fan.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost £24.65 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Gangsta Granny is at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 2 July 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3011.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
