Theatre Review: Gangsta Granny at The Alhambra
OFF the back of the release of his new book, The World's Worst Children, comes the world stage premier of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny, touring the UK and currently in Bradford, where LEO OWEN caught the show
Adaptor and Director, Neal Foster, shifts Walliams’ story to make it a first person account with protagonist, Ben (Ashley Cousins), recalling the discovery of his Gran’s rather unexpected past. Cousins opens the show in a jovial conversational tone, directly addressing the audience: “It can happen to anyone”; fans of Walliam’s zany tales of the underdog will instantly recognise this as an understatement. Having a cabbage-obsessed Granny (Gilly Tompkins) who was once known as The Black Cat, a wanted international jewel thief, is clearly something that could happen to anyone, however unlikely!
Jacqueline Trousdale’s set cleverly transports us through time as Ben shares his journey of self and family discovery. Initially appearing minimalistic, it soon becomes a Pandora’s box of locations as the three modest looking structures open up. Pivoted and wheeled across stage, they become Ben’s family home, a hospital, the local shop and the interior of Gran’s house, to name but a few. The circle acting as their backdrop is flexibly utilised for sewer scenes and the ballroom competition when glitzy lights frame the dancers. As Granny tells her tall story, sound effects and colourful costumes depict her global adventures, while the water of the Thames is cleverly represented by blue fabric and sloshing noises. All the while, ballroom dancing cohesively links scenes during set changes.
As might be expected from a children’s adaptation, Foster keeps things lively and light-hearted, utilising every opportunity available for chuckles and unanimously succeeding, judging by the uproarious cries of delight from its young viewers. Cabbage and fart gags run throughout with a particularly surreal and entertaining dream sequence, boasting life-size cabbages. Trousdale’s costumes are indeed one of the show’s highlights and prompt some of the so-bad-it’s-good one-liners; after Ben appears in a breakfast outfit, having changed from his Quality Street ensemble, his mother (Louise Bailey) warns him: “Don’t make a hash of it”. Gran’s mobility scooter is another source of humour, alongside contemporary digs, such as at the price of shopping bags and talent show mockery through the Under 12s’ ballroom dancing competition hosted by Flavio Flavioli.
Laughs aside, Gangsta Granny has heart too, exploring family relationships and how younger generations view the elderly. Despite obvious lessons to be learnt and adult overtones, Walliams’ story never takes itself very seriously. From Ben’s slightly dodgy Gangsta Granny rap, to Gran beat-boxing, slapstick moments with her nosy neighbour, Mr Parker (Benedict Martin) and mundane interactions with pushy shop-owner, Raj (Aaron Thiara), there are no weak links in this extremely strong and versatile cast. If all of the gags aren’t enough, Foster gives the show a pantomime spin with audience participation, leaving its youngest fans bouncing on their boosters. Fun for all the family.
Gangsta Granny showed at The Alhambra Theatre between July 5-9 before continuing its UK tour to return to Leeds later in September: http://www.uktw.co.uk/Tour/Kids/Gangsta-Granny/T01428271724/
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