Review: BILLIONAIRE BOY, Car Park Party, Exeter Racecourse
We are more than a year on from the day that we were told to avoid crowded places such as theatres but if the last year has proven anything, it is that not even a global pandemic can stop the arts. Creatives have gone above and beyond to find a way for live performance to continue in a safe and secure manner. Over the last year, outdoor theatre has been one way to do this and it has become increasingly popular. But let’s be honest here, this is the UK. We can’t always rely on blue skies and dry days but thanks to companies such as Car Park Party, we can enjoy live theatre from the dry security of our own vehicles.
A Car Park Party tour of Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain hit the road last summer, taking the fun family history show to car parks and racecourses all over the country, and whilst Horrible Histories is touring once again Car Park Party doesn’t stop there. This year they have been joined by a tour of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, in partnership with Birmingham Stage Company. Armed with two trucks, one to act as the stage and the second to be a base for the huge screen, Car Park Party brings Walliams’ story of schoolboy Joe Spud, son to the multi-billionaire inventor of Bum Fresh toilet roll, to life. Joe has everything that he could possibly wish for, apart from a real friend. After begging his father to send him to a normal school, Joe sets off determined to make a friend who doesn’t just like him for his millions.
The 7-person cast play a multitude of larger-than-life characters, rattling through quick changes with apparent ease and buzzing around the stage with bundles of energy. Matthew Gordon plays the role of Joe, the schoolboy in search of a friend who tries his best to hide his fortune at school. He is a likeable character who you will to succeed and achieve his goal. The chemistry with Benedict Martin as his father Len is believable as we see Len delight in his fortune and use it to buy the love of young girlfriend Sapphire (Rosie Coles). Jake Lomas impresses as Bob, Joe’s classmate, who tries to stick with Joe through his ups and downs at school. We are also introduced to school dinner lady Mrs Trafe (Emma Matthews), helpful local shopkeeper Raj (Irfan Damani) and popular kid Jayden (Matthew Chase).
The songs are fun, catchy and toe-tapping, and brings a smile to your face; with the choreography by Paul Chantry and Rae Piper of Chantry Dance high energy and entertaining. The simplistic set is highly effective and works well for this style of show, which is designed to be packed up quickly and moved on to the next location. A few different tables, a scattering of chairs, a bin and a few props are plenty enough to create different locations when paired with simple backdrops slid on and off stage creating the mansion home of Joe and Len, the school and Raj’s corner shop.
Our car was situated three or four rows back from the stage with the vast space of Exeter Racecourse used to full advantage. We could see the stage but did watch most of the action of the big screen to get a clearer more detailed view. The music and dialogue was played through our car radio, which gave a crystal-clear sound. The event was well organised and felt safe, with tickets scanned from our phones through the windows and food outlets socially distanced. We were guided into our parking space and directed out row by row.
Billionaire Boy is a fun, family-friendly show, packed with silliness, music and humour to suit all ages. Over the last year we have been deprived of live entertainment and thanks to Car Park Party, families are able to enjoy the thrill of live theatre in a safe way. Billionaire Boy is sure to delight audiences as the car park tour continues and when it arrives in London’s West End for an indoor run later in the year.
****’ Four and a half stars
Reviewed by: Rebecca Wallis
For more information and to book tickets for one of the remaining touring venues, please click here.
Please note that this review can also be found on the Musical Theatre Lives in Me blog page.
