Review: HORRIBLE HISTORIES - TERRIBLE TUDORS, Garrick Theatre

Besties, with Horrible Histories - Terrible Tudors, we are taken back to before the Battle of Bosworth, where the Emma Swann as Drabb and the Neal Foster as Dr Dee, with boundless enthusiasm and energy, storm through the history of the Tudor Monarchy, delivering the rhyme and quip packed script with full gusto.

At just over an hour long the show is a punchy run through some of the key characters of the Tudor family, all of whom are played by just the two actors who, on stage throughout, take turns to narrate the story, with numerous swift costume and prop changes, keeping the audience engaged.

With jaunty songs, puppetry and plenty of bottom jokes, there is enough in the show to keep younger ones entertained whilst serving up some historical facts for the older ones, with a healthy serving of Prime Minister jokes and Tommy Cooper impersonations to keep the adults on board too.

The stage show differs greatly from the TV show in many ways, with the only real similarity being accessible funny history. The added bonus here is that there is actually some learning to be had; with real life comparisons to easily explain the historical facts. The contrast of the inception of the Protestant church with a Liverpool v Man City football match, and the audience singalong to the Henry VIII anthem : ‘Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived’ being particular stand out moments.

The Tudor Dynasty was particularly brutal so the show relies heavily on the japes and panto-capers of the cast; and this double hander successfully fills the children with glee, with roars of laughter bouncing around the auditorium.

A great school holiday activity for all the family. A terribly funny show, jam packed with some very horrible history indeed. 

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Cara Brazier

Horrible Histories - Terrible Tudors plays at the Garrick Theatre until 2 September, with further information here: 

https://thegarricktheatre.co.uk/tickets/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors-2/

📸 Mark Douet