The Horrible History books were a firm favourite for my kids when they were young so I was keen to see how they translated onto the stage. We braved the torrential rain yesterday and walked the short distance from Leicester Square tube station – a little confused at first as the Garrick Theatre’s main signage is for the Beatles’ show “Let it be”. However, we spotted the smaller signs for the hour-long Barmy Britain (Part Two) show which is on at 2pm Tuesday to Friday and 1030am and 12 noon on Saturdays or 1pm on Sundays.
Patriotic music played while we waited for things to get started. Just two players – a man and a woman with an incredible voice (and good Scottish and Welsh accents) – put on a variety of costumes to tell stories about Boudicca, Romans, Richard I and the crusades, King Edward and William Wallace, the Black Death, the Tudors and Queen Elizabeth, Charles I and the English Civil War, Dick Turpin (with references to TOWIE) and Queen Victoria. And of course all the gross and gory bits are mentioned and there’s plenty of raspberry blowing and farting. Rats and chickens feature too. And a teddy bear. The songs borrowed tunes from an eclectic mix including a clap-along Queen number and Postman Pat and there is even some hip-hop, street dancing monarchs.
My daughter was singled out for special water pistol treatment and even those at the back of the theatre were not safe. We all joined in with the singing and clapping. We laughed a lot as it was fun. Entertaining and educational.
The show runs until 31st August.
http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/garrick-theatre/
http://www.barmybritain.com/
