After a few delays and a two-year wait due to the pandemic, we finally got to sit and enjoy Billionaire Boy at Grand Opera House York. But was it a sterling effort, or did it hit a few bum notes? Find out below!
We’re no strangers to Birmingham Stage, having seen many Roald Dahl adaptations, two Horrible Histories productions and, more recently, Gangsta Granny. Another of David Walliam’s bestselling books makes the leap from page to stage here, Billionaire Boy.
The plot revolves around Joe and his Dad, inventors of Bumfresh – a revolutionary new toilet roll (dry on one side, moist on the other) that made the father and son duo instant billionaires. You might say…they’re rolling in it!
Toilet Humour
As you might expect from a David Walliams adaptation, the script is packed with toilet humour…everything from purple bums, fart jokes and poo talk. The young audience of course lap it up, and it never ventures too far into filth. A running gag of gross school meals only adds to the fun, with Mrs Trafe the dinnerlady churning out some truly rancid recipes.
Emma Matthews – who again takes on a variety of roles – plays Mrs Trafe to a tea, or rather, a lunch. A real highlight, she milks every moment and belts out a twist on Food, Glorious Food.
On a Roll
A special mention must go to Jacqueline Trousdale’s fantastic set design. Teetering towers of toilet rolls turn into everything from Joe’s grand home, classrooms, a bathroom, a lamplit street and even a house party!
The cast are just as versatile as the ever-changing set too, playing multiple roles and swapping wigs and costumes at speed. Birmingham Stage always excel in casting, and in particular the roles with adults playing children.
Joe (Matthew Gordon) and his best friend Bob (Jake Lomas) may not look like schoolchildren, but they play the roles so effectively that it’s easy to imagine that they are. They both have that youthful energy and naïve charm, and their portrayal never comes across as false.
Joe’s Dad (Matthew Mellalieu) goes from riches to rags and has some truly poignant and heart-warming moments with his son. The relationship is believable, oh and his wigs and jackets are fantastic!
Tuhin Chisti’s Raj is fun and delightfully silly, as he makes dubious special offers and hawks his out-of-date confectionary. No spoilers, but his Graph of Purple in the second half is comedy gold (or comedy purple!) Raj’s character has been criticised as being outdated and stereotypical, but Tuhin pitches him at just the right level, and never goes overboard.
Gold-digging hand-model Sapphire (Rosie Cole) is clearly after Dad’s money, and sings through an impressive wish-list of how he can buy her love. She totters around on heels, munches crisps and makes her demands in a delightfully vulgar way!
Flushed with Success
Billionaire Boy is an Olivier Award nominee, and we could see why. Our two boys (6 and 8, unusual names but it’s all we could think of!) absolutely loved it, and were gripped from start to finish. Our eldest was quick to point out the clear messages and morals…how money isn’t everything, that you can’t buy happiness…and be careful what you wipe your bum with!
We all left humming the catchy songs, and discussing out favourite moments. Highlights for us included a hovering helicopter, lots of silly songs and daft humour and an unexpectedly entertaining sign-language interpreter (we couldn’t take our eyes off her signing rude words!)
When it comes to children’s theatre, this is as fresh as…well…a roll of Bumfresh! With one son giving it 5 stars, and another 100 stars (!) I don’t think I can give it anything less than 5 overall…
MAGIC RATING
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL
Catch Billionaire Boy at Grand Opera House York until Sunday 17th July, tickets available at www.atgtickets.com/shows/billionaire-boy/grand-opera-house-york
Look out for The Demon Dentist and other shows by Birmingham Stage at www.birminghamstage.com
Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
Review Wizard 