We’re no stranger to the stage adaptations of David Walliam’s bestsellers. Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, Demon Dentist…you name it, we’ve probably seen it. We had high hopes for Awful Auntie as we know that, when it comes to children’s theatre, Birmingham Stage certainly don’t just…phone it in!
Awful Auntie is whodunnit tale of murdered parents, a comatose niece and a bumped off chimney sweep-turned-cockney ghost. Add a barmy butler, a few fart jokes and a smattering (or should that be splattering?) of toilet humour, and you know what to expect.
Neal Foster’s Auntie Alberta is like the lovechild of both Rik Mayall and Ade Edmonson, with a little Monty Python thrown in too. Delightfully dastardly, Foster never strays into panto dame territory and would make an excellent Miss Trunchbull. Truly awful in the best possible way, but also unlikely to cause any nightmares.
Annie Cordoni plays Alberta’s niece Stella, and has plenty of childlike enthusiasm. She’s feisty too, and doesn’t stand for any injustice. The audience are quickly on her side and we’re all rooting for her to save the day!
That’s the Spirit
Stella soon partners up with cheeky-chappie ghost Soot (Matthew Allen) to try and scare Alberta out of the house before she gets her hands on the title deeds (or ‘deedy weedies’) Allen is instantly likeable in the role, and our boys enjoyed sleuthing out his cockney rhyming slang. He has some poignant moments too, and delivers them sincerely.
Zain Abrahams butler Gibbon is like the circus clown who comes on for a quick skit between acts. Each gag or prop joke here is well executed though, and they certainly add comic relief! Abrahams bumbles around and relishes each moment of buffoonery.
Puppetry is used throughout to great effect. Puppet Captain Emily Essery manipulates Wagner the owl in various forms, landing the bird on Alberta’s arm or swooping it over the audience with ease. This wandering Wizard now wants an articulated owl puppet of his own!
Adorable miniature dolls of Soot and Auntie are well received, and movements are precise and expertly choreographed. Puppet designer and director Yvonne Stone has done wonderful work here, and a cliff-hanger of a scene between mini Stella and Auntie is inspired!
Vrrroom with a View
Jacqueline Trousdale’s set design is excellent, and really captures the grandeur of Saxonby Hall. There are some great set-pieces, from Stella’s parents car, a snow owl and a giant booby-trapped cage that tortures whoever is inside.
Unfortunately our performance had a breakdown of it’s own, and was briefly halted due to technical issues with the set. Hopefully this was just opening night teething troubles at a new venue. Speaking of first nights, the cast here did remarkably well to maintain the atmosphere with a very small audience. It didn’t seem to faze the performers when they weren’t getting the big reactions of a fuller house.
Just Desserts
Good for all ages? There’s an overriding theme of death, murder and betrayal, but we didn’t find it nearly as dark as The Demon Dentist. Music is dramatic and creepy at points but sets the scene perfectly, and there’s lots of silliness to keep things light. A highlight is when Alberta gets her comeuppance in a series of pranks set by Stella and Soot. No spoilers, but it’s a delight to see the calamity unfold!
Our eldest (11) particularly enjoyed this show over others, and it was my favourite David Walliams adaptation so far. It’s quite different to previous shows, and less formulaic – there’s no Raj the shopkeeper, no songs, and no audience participation. Awful Auntie stands out in its inventiveness though – with clever theatrics, brilliant puppetry and a genuinely engaging plot with plenty of twists and turns.
Awful? Hardly!
Awful Auntie runs until Sunday 29th September in York, before continuing the national tour. Book your tickets at www.atgtickets.com/shows/awful-auntie/grand-opera-house-york/
Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
Review Wizard 