Review: GANGSTA GRANNY, Bloomsbury Theatre
Photo credit: Mark Douet
If your kids are the sort of children who think that old people are boring and smell of cabbage, then we strongly suggest you take them down to London’s Bloomsbury Theatre this Christmas, where a new production of Gangsta Granny is hoping to change their minds.
Last seen on the West End in 2017, the play is back in celebration of the 10th anniversary of David Walliams’ popular 4th novel. His tale of 11-year-old Ben and his dear old Granny has been a children’s favourite since its publication, and was also adapted for television in 2013 starring Julia McKenzie.
Ben (Justin Davies) is sent off to stay with his Granny (Isabel Ford) every Friday night, so that his parents (Jess Nesling and Jason Furnival) can go ballroom dancing. With no TV, nothing to do, and an endless menu of cabbage-based cooking forced upon him each week, Ben dreads the visits, and counts down the minutes until he can go home again. His view changes when he stumbles on evidence that suggests his Granny isn’t just a little old lady with terrible cookery skills, but may actually hide a mysterious secret that sends him on the adventure of his life.
David Walliams has become a successor to Roald Dahl with his stories full of quirky characters and fantastical adventures, and Gangsta Granny translates brilliantly to the stage. Neal Foster’s adaptation is entertaining, charming, and cleverly done. Told in two acts of just under an hour each to prevent fidgeters, the story kept the children in today's audience largely engrossed throughout, and the James Bond-inspired score by Jak Poore also helps add to the excitement. The inventive set consists of three main pieces which rotate to create different locations, and have countless pull-outs to create extra props and dimensions, so the piece never feels static or boring. Unsurprisingly, the script is strong and Walliams’ words are clever and funny, with Granny's leisurely mobility scooter and cabbage-induced wind getting the most laughs.
After a really strong first half, Act 2 falters slightly, as the story temporarily moves away from Ben & Granny's jewel heist and instead takes us to a ballroom competition that Ben's parents have unwisely signed him up for. These scenes do slow the plot, although it is no fault of the performers, who do their best. Unfortunately the material just isn't as strong as the main storyline, although children may enjoy the silliness. As soon as the focus moves back to Ben and Granny, the show recovers and zips along to its conclusion, finding real heart and sentiment along the way.
Justin Davies is earnestly likeable as Ben and plays believably young without ever becoming brattish (not easy as a 25-year-old playing 11!) Isabel Ford is also excellent as Granny, both the initially boring pensioner and the subsequent storytelling jewel thief. Nesling and Furnival try hard as Ben's parents but they are saddled with some unfunny material, and their story is inevitably less exciting than Ben and Granny’s plans for the Crown Jewels. They perform well however, perhaps more so in their alternate roles as Queen Elizabeth and nosey neighbour Mr Parker respectively. The remaining lead actors also play dual roles and all work hard throughout the production.
Despite a few pacing problems and the ballroom dancing subplot (blame Walliams for that one), Gangsta Granny is a fun and enjoyable bit of escapism. It entertains the kids while also being a decent watch for grown-ups, which isn’t always the case with children’s shows, and anything that gets the younger generations interested in both reading and theatre should be applauded.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Rob Bartley
Gangsta Granny runs at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre until 9 January 2022, before touring the UK. To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.