THERE are madcap capers at the Mayflower this week as Birmingham Stage Company bring a popular David Walliams’ novel to the stage.
Awful Auntie is a triumph over adversity tale of grief, bravery and friendship. Horrible Histories’ writer Neal Foster has turned this biggest selling children’s book of 2014 into a wacky stage adventure.
12-year-old Lady Stella Saxby wakes from a coma to discover both her parents have died in a car crash and she is left at the mercy of her wicked Aunt Alberta and her fearsome giant owl Wagner.
The awful aunt is played by an exuberant Timothy Speyer. In a red wig and tartan breeches, Speyer’s energetic interpretation of the panto-style villain almost felt like it was Walliams himself in the role.
Georgina Leonidas plays the winsome Stella who, with the help of a friendly cockney ghost called Soot (Ashley Cousins), manages to outwit her crazed relative.
Balmy butler Gibbon, played by Richard James, adds to the comedy with some crazy, senile antics.
The play takes place entirely at the stately home Saxby Hall and designer Jaqueline Trousdale has cleverly created a set consisting of four revolving towers to represent the sprawling mansion. The action moves from room to room without ever stopping.
My 10-year-old, who has grown up with David Walliams’ collection, found the performance thrilling and hilarious and, along with the rest of the young audience, particularly enjoyed the mischievous pranks Stella and Soot played on Aunt Alberta.
Awful Auntie continues at the Mayflower until Saturday. For tickets contact the box office on 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.
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