Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 22 June 2024
Reviewed by Louise Ford
4****
Children are special but farts are funnier!
David Walliams’ children’s story Awful Auntie has been adapted for the stage by Neal Foster and is performed by The Birmingham Stage Company. Both have a long association with performances for children and in particular the Horrible History series.
Neal Foster not only adapted the story but also directed it and has a starring role as Aunt Alberta.
The story starts with an overview of the stately homes of England and their titled families, whose names and titles don’t relate to the houses. A minor pile is Saxby Hall where Lord and Lady Saxby live with their daughter Stella.
It’s 1933 and Stella (Annie Cordoni) our plucky heroine finds herself in a bit of a jam. But never fear her dear auntie is on hand to make sure that she is well taken care of and doesn’t need to go to the orphanage! Beware of caring relatives, especially those that have been written out of the will. Aunt Alberta will stop at nothing to get her inheritance. She has plans for the Hall once Stella is out of the way. Fortunately our courageous heroine is aided and abetted by Soot,the strike a light, Cockney ghost, played in full Oliver! mode by Matthew Allen.
Criss crossing the stage and always one step behind is the befuddled and bemused butler Gibbon, played by Zain Abrahams.
The star of the show for me was the set. A Gothic pile (Saxby Hall) which shifts and turns revealing rooms, floors, secret passageways and cubby holes. A triumph. It was designed by Jacqueline Trousdale who also designed the costumes. The set is well supported by the score, composed by Jack Poore, which in turn moves the action along and builds up the suspense.
The use of puppets not only for the villainous Wagner (handled by Emily Essery) but also for the mini versions of the main characters was a nice touch, particularly the perilous rooftop scene.
The story has its poignant moments and messages about childhood and magic as well as fart jokes and ants in your pants action. So something for everyone!