Horrible Histories: Live on Stage

Horrible Histories: Live on Stage is the name for the series of stage shows within the Horrible Histories franchise. They are produced by The Birmingham Stage Company.[1]

Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians

Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians is a 2005 stage show, which is part of the "Live on Stage" series in the Horrible Histories franchise.[2] The show was created by the Birmingham Stage Company. It was released along with Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors. Both of the shows run at 2 hours. including a 15-minute interval.[3] Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians in bogglevision visited theatres around Britain in 2010 in a production from the Birmingham Stage Company. These plays were written by Terry Deary and were a hit in their 2006 tour.[4] The show premiered at the Civic Theatre, Darlington on 20 Sep 2005.[5]

It is based on the Horrible Histories book Vile Victorians, written by Deary.

Synopsis

The play explores themes such as Victorian inventions, mines and factories, and the Charge of the Light Brigade.[6]

Reception

Birmingham Mail gave the Belgrade Theatre production 4 stars out of 5, commenting "Birmingham Stage Company has cleverly adapted [Vile Victorians] for live stage. Chapters are turned into short scenes with an atmospheric movie backdrop, which in the second half becomes 3D. Four wonderfully energetic actors do an excellent job of informing and interacting.[7] Sunderland Echo said "In truth, the plot was incidental to the stories being told, which amused and repulsed in equal measure", and noted "to keep the interest going, there was plenty of audience participation, nods to popular culture and a second half which featured a Boggle-Vision 3D animation as a stage backdrop."[8]

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors is a 2005[9] stage show which is part of the Horrible Histories franchise. It is one of the "Live on Stage" theatre shows produced by the Birmingham Stage Company. It was released alongside Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians.[10] The running time for both shows is "approximately 2 hours including a 15-minute interval".[11] Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians in bogglevision visited theatres around Britain in 2010 in a production from the Birmingham Stage Company. These plays were written by Terry and were a hit in their 2006 tour.[4] The show premiered at the Civic Theatre, Darlington on 20 Sep 2005.[12]

The stage show is directed by Phil Clark, written by Terry Deary, and produced by the Birmingham Stage Company. It was designed by Jacqueline Trousdale, its music is by Matthew Scott, and the 3D Bogglevision special effects are by Amazing Interactives. Its Regent Theatre cast included: Pip Chamberlin, Lynette Clarke, Laura Crowhurst, and Simon Lloyd.[13]

Reception

British Theatre Guide wrote "Terrible Tudors is yet another historical hit from the Birmingham Stage Company. Not only do they demonstrate that history can be fun, but that Theatre in Education is so much more than morals and messages. History, by its very nature, is theatrical and with a never ending stream of possible topics, long may Horrible Histories continue to enlighten and frighten its audience."[14] The Stage said "The central performances are suitably indelicate and very funny...Young children should prepare for a scare; these effects knock your socks off just when you were thinking it was all jaw and no gore."[13]

Carole Green of the BBC reviewed the Terrible Tudors play at the Grand Opera House, York (2006).[15] She wrote "It was a wonderful evening, very funny and educational without realising it."

Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians

Awful Egyptians is a 2007 stage show, which is part of the "Live on Stage" series in the Horrible Histories franchise. The show was created by the Birmingham Stage Company, and premiered at the Civic Theatre, Darlington on 06 Feb 2007.[12] It made its Australian debut at the Sydney Opera House.[16] It is written by Terry Deary, and adapted by Ciaran McConville and John-Paul Cherrington. It is 115 min long.[12]

Reception

The show was given a rating of 3 stars out of 5 by the Sydney Morning Herald. It said that unlike the TV series, "the stage show comes across like an old-school pantomime, full of groaning puns, crude slapstick, threadbare jokes and rubber props", though added that children loved it.[17]

Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans

Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans is a 2007 stage show, which is part of the "Live on Stage" series in the Horrible Histories franchise. The show was created by the Birmingham Stage Company. It was first produced at the Civic Theatre, Darlington on 6 Feb 2007,[5] and later was staged at The Old Rep from 8 October 2013.[18]

History

The show was performed at the Dubai Community Theatre & Art Centre in October 2013. Founder Rania Kuzbari Ashur said: "I have been working with the Birmingham Stage Company since 2004. This is the fourth time we have brought a Horrible Histories play to the UAE, We brought Barmy Britain last year, which was a great success. Our first one was Victorian Traders in 2005."[19]

Synopsis

Themes of the play include: Roman emperors, gladiators, the Roman army, Roman Britain, and Spartacus.[20]

Reception

The show was nominated for Manchester Evening News Award for Best Special Entertainment.[21] Cambridge News said "Horrid, silly, yet clever and concise, The Ruthless Romans is like the best history lesson you can ever imagine".[22]

Horrible Histories: Nottingham

the Horrible Histories franchise. It premiered at Nottingham's Theatre Royal on 12 June 2008.[23][24] It was put on by the Birmingham Stage Company,[25][26] and was "specifically about the history of Nottingham."[27] The director was Phil Clark, the producer was Neal Foster, and Rachel Watkinson played the role of Ella.[28][29]

Production

LeftLion explains that the "play has a cast of two and the set consists solely of a wagon and some props."[24]

Neal Foster of the Birmingham Stage Company said: "Terry Deary has drawn together all the different stories and the famous legend of the city into a delicious hour of history with the nasty bits left in! I think that is what is so special and new about it".[29]

Extracts from Horrible Histories Nottingham were read on the Upper Circle foyer of the Theatre Royal, during the Robin of Sherwood event on 26 July 2008.[30]

Synopsis

The play is about the history of Nottingham, including figures such as Robin Hood. It "provide[s] a foul but fascinating tour of the city’s savage sites, from the rotten Romans to the vile Victorians".[31]

Reception

LeftLion wrote: "There are three things I can’t stand when I watch a play. Overly bubbly actors, prop gags and horror of horrors, audience participation. Which is why I don’t really understand why I enjoyed this play despite the fact that it contained all three." The site added: "Truly great children’s plays entertain the parents just as much as the kids. This one missed the mark slightly...If the jokes in the script were rubbish, the actual history more than made up for it."[24]

Horrible Histories: Blitzed Brits

Blitzed Brits[5] (a.k.a. Woeful Second World War) is a 2009 stage show, which is part of the "Live on Stage" series in the Horrible Histories franchise. The show was created by the Birmingham Stage Company, and was released alongside Frightful First World War as "Horrible Histories World Wars".[32] The show was written by Terry Deary, adapted by Phil Clarke, and directed by Phil Clark. Its original cast included: Perry Lambert, Matthew Schmolle, Ciaran McConville, and Laura Dalgleish. The design and screen illustrations are by Phil Clark and Jaqueline Trousdale, while the 3D special effects are by Amazing Interactives. Its running time was 1hr 50mins.[33]

History

In 2009 Terry wrote two new plays for the Birmingham Stage Company to tour Blitzed Brits and Frightful First World War.[34][35]

Production

The Press explains: "Horrible Histories: Woeful Second World War...is based on one of Terry’s Gory Stories novels, Blackout In The Blitz, wherein he combines the German blitz of Coventry with the exploitation and bullying of evacuee children in Wales and the running of a meat black market."[36]

Synopsis

The Spark Children's Art Festival describes the plot thus: "From the brutal Blitz to the soggy shelters, join young Alf and Sally as they are evacuated to darkest Wales, where they deal with rotten rations, scary schools and new parents! But the bombers are on their way so be sure to take cover!".[37]

Reception

The Stage said "There's lots of songs of the period to jolly the pace along...There are excellent performances too...This exciting story is told against a series of cleverly changing backgrounds".[13] Essex Chronicle notes "The Woeful Second World War didn't work so well. Hitler and the Holocaust are hardly ideal subject matter for primary schools and with this in mind, they play it safe".[38]

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War is a 2009 stage show, which is part of the "Live on Stage" series in the Horrible Histories franchise. The show was created by the Birmingham Stage Company, and was released alongside Woeful Second World War - Blitzed Brits as "Horrible Histories World Wars" And his another book, callen "The Woeful Second World War" illustrated by Martin Brown.[32] It is written by Terry Deary and directed by Phil Clark. The Bogglevision was designed by Jacqueline Trousdale and Amazing Interactive.[39] Tom Lishman did the sound effects and Jason Taylor did the lighting.[40] The running time is approximately 110 minutes.[41] Its originally cast consisted of Perry Lambert, Matthew Schmolle, Ciaran McConville, and Laura Dalgleish.[40]

History

In 2009 Terry wrote two new plays for the Birmingham Stage Company to tour The Blitzed Brits and The Frightful First World War.[34][42]

Synopsis

The show's premise involves "[a] 13 year old Angelica Taylor who is sucked into the Horrible Histories website", who then proceeds to learn about the First World War.[32]

Reception

The Stage said "Punctuated with humour and audience participation, the important message remains clear and is punched home in the midst of battle. Yet another superb example of history brought vividly to life."[40] The Public Reviews said "Terry Deary’s script is laden with witty one-liners and jokes galore. There is also great audience participation." It added that the ‘Bogglevision’ "really immerses you into the action and is truly outstanding", and that the show had a "highly talented cast and a production that packs so much information and energy into a delightful two hours".[39] Essex Chronicle said "There is a deep poignancy to the ending of this instalment, with its cascade of poppies showering gently over us, and hopefully its message will resonate with young audiences for years to come."[38] The Times said "Horrible, yes, but thankfully not trivialised history."[43]

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain

Barmy Britain is a family stage show which is part of the Horrible Histories franchise. It is co-written by Terry Deary, Neal Foster & Ciaran McConville, directed by Neal Foster, and produced by The Birmingham Stage Company. The theatre production is staged in three separate shows, Part 1 and Part 2,[44][45] and a Part 3 (released in 2015 due to the success of the first two shows).[46]

Development

Part 1 was written in 2011 following a performance at The Lolibop festival in Regents Park. After receiving high praise at Regents Park the production was developed and opened at the Garrick Theatre London on February 14, 2012. Part 2 followed later opening on September 29 at The Garrick Theatre due to its predecessor's popularity.[47] Part 2 has a running time of 105 minutes.[48]

Director Neal Foster, said: "There’s so much British history to get through. We start with the Celts and end up in the Victorian period....Children love all the gory, naughty, the silly, the rude and disgusting and we make sure it’s full of all that....We bring history to life so it all helps you to understand and put yourself in their position because suddenly it’s very real and it’s there in front of you".[49]

Content

The show is set in London,[50] and "features a finale whose sarcastic references to burger bars, bankers and internet dating leave its young audience in little doubt that whatever the crazed excesses of our ancestors, future generations will doubtless consider us every bit as loopy".[51] The Guardian says it "ends on a serious note as it points out that it's unlikely that those who come after us will think we are any less barmy than we do those who came before".[52] London Evening standard notes "there are clever spoofs of popular television programmes".[53]

Part 2 includes historical characters such as: "Boudicca, Elizabeth I, Burke and Hare, and Queen Victoria".[54]

Reception

Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Part One

The Daily Express[55] said "Horrible Histories brings the bloody story of Britain throbbingly alive in this hilarious show from the excellent Birmingham Stage Company. Bloody, marvellous stuff!

The Daily Times[56] - "Is this any way for children to learn about history? Too right it is! If lessons were always like this, kids would be queuing up at the school gates every morning. Be Thrilled!

"As gleefully vulgar as a Roman poo stick! It's perfectly horrid and my daughter loved it!" from The Daily Mail.[57]

Whilst Time Out[58] said "Heartily enjoyable and loudly appreciated. Britain seems not so much 'barmy' as barbarous, bloodthirsty and stark raving bonkers."

Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Part Two was met with similar praise from the press.

The Daily Express[55] returned to say "Hilariously vulgar, brilliantly grisly - it has the young audience in stitches!"

Time Out[58] continued with "A genuinely sly alternative to classroom orthodoxy, staged with wit, love and wry post-modern humour - I sure as heck enjoyed it!"

"A full throttle, side-splitting ride through two thousand years of British history!" from The American Magazine.[59]

Cast members

Barmy Britain One: Lauryn Redding (Original), Benedict Martin (Original), Neal Foster, Alison Fitzjohn, Gary Wilson, Simon Davies, Laura Crowhurst, Anthony Spargo.

Barmy Britain Two: Lauryn Redding (Original), Anthony Spargo (Original), Timothy Speyer, Neal Foster, Alison Fitzjohn

Both productions of Horrible Histories Barmy Britain have been directed by The Birmingham Stage Company Actor/Manager Neal Foster.

Poster to the show.

Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks

Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks is a 2015 stage show by The Birmingham Stage Company.[60] It is a double bill with Horrible Histories: Incredible Invaders. It has played in theatres such as at Theatre Royal, Brighton,[61] The Mayflower,[62] and Royal & Derngate.[63] The show combined actors and 3D Bogglevision special effects.[64]

Development

The show was written and directed by Neal Foster.[64] Foster had a "hugely exciting time" bringing the Horrible Histories book to life.[65] Horrible Histories book author Terry Deary guest starred as Zeus,[66][67] using pre-recorded vocals that were played in various productions.[68] A spokesperson from the show said that it was a solution to the age-old problem: ""We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!".[69]

Plot

The show included storylines such as Paris and Troy, the defeat of the Persians, the establishment of democracy, an introduction to the Greek Gods, and the first Olympic Games.[61]

Critical reception

York Press described the humour as "brilliantly irreverent and madcap", likening it to The Simpsons and Reeves & Mortimer.[70] Northhampton Herald & Post thought the show was an "exciting way to introduce history to the young".[63] Hampshire Chronicle deemed the show "Fast-paced, irreverent and very, very funny".[71] Cambridge News said the Horrible Histories stage shows were "always excellent", and thought Groovy Greeks was a prime example.[72] Blackpool Gazette said the show was "perfectly-pitched family fun".[73] Chelmsford Weekly News said the " main themes [were] cleverly presented in the style of our favourite tv shows".[74] South Wales Echo deemed it "exciting" and "unique".[75] Western Mail praised the show for being highly educational and entertaining simultaneously.[76]

References

  1. http://www.historyextra.com/article/feature/horrible-histories-live-stage-interview-creator-neal-foster
  2. "Horrible Histories - The Terrible Tudors & The Vile Victorians".
  3. "Horrible Histories - The Vile Victorians". Belgrade Theatre.
  4. 1 2 "Theatre - Terry Deary". Terry Deary: Best Selling Author & Television Personality. Terry Deary Limited. 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 "doollee.com - the playwrights database of modern plays". www.doollee.com.
  6. "Savage Shows & TV - Horrible Histories". horrible-histories.co.uk.
  7. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/review-horrible-histories--vile-2520707
  8. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/what-s-on/theatre/review-horrible-histories-the-vile-victorians-playhouse-whitley-bay-1-5586605
  9. http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/2386/shows/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors.html
  10. http://horrible-histories.co.uk/tv-stage/702/horrible-histories-show-now-touring
  11. http://www.belgrade.co.uk/event/the-terrible-tudors
  12. 1 2 3 http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsD/deary-terry.html
  13. 1 2 3 http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/35664/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors
  14. http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/horrible-histor-ashcroft-theatr-7223
  15. Carole Green (2006-06-09). "Review: Horrible Histories". BBC North Yorkshire. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  16. http://www.birminghamstage.com/past_productions/horrible_histories_awful_egyptians
  17. http://m.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/horrible-histories-awful-egyptians-20130704-2pe12.html
  18. Ltd, Made Media. "Horrible Histories - Ruthless Romans at Birmingham Box". www.birmingham-box.co.uk.
  19. "Roman history and, funnily, all its ruthlessness comes to stage at Ductac".
  20. http://feastcreative.com, Feast Creative. "Horrible Histories Egyptians and Romans - Productions - Birmingham Stage Company". www.birminghamstage.com.
  21. http://feastcreative.com, Feast Creative. "- Productions - Birmingham Stage Company". www.birminghamstage.com.
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  28. info@blue-compass.com. "Rachel Watkinson, 2008, Ella, Horrible Histories Nottingham, Birmingham Stage Company". mandy.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  29. 1 2 "WIN family tickets to see 'horrible' show". Worksop Guardian. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
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  33. http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/23460/horrible-histories-woeful-second-world-war
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  37. http://www.sparkfestival.co.uk/events,34.html Archived 2010-02-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. 1 2 http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Theatre-Review-Horrible-Histories-Frightful-World-War-Woeful-Second-World-War-New-Wimbledon-Theatre/story-12627365-detail/story.html
  39. 1 2 http://www.thepublicreviews.com/horrible-histories-frightful-first-world-war-the-opera-house-manchester/
  40. 1 2 3 http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/23464/horrible-histories-frightful-first-world-war
  41. http://www.thelowry.com/event/Horrible-Histories-The-Frightful-First-World-War-and-Woeful-Second-World-War
  42. "''Bucks Free Press'' review". Bucksfreepress.co.uk. 2008-05-22. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
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  45. Feast Creative. "Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part One and Part Two at the Garrick Theatre, London | Also on a UK Tour | presented by The Birmingham Stage Company". Barmy Britain. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
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  47. "Horrible Histories Part 2 Tickets and Dates". See Tickets. 2013-09-22. Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
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  51. Jon Henley (2012-07-14). "Terry Deary: The man behind the Horrible Histories | Books". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  52. Lyn Gardner. "Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  53. Fiona Mountford (2012-03-05). "Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain, Garrick - review - Theatre - Going Out - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  54. Thomson, Olivia (2013-11-07). "Win a family mini-break to see Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Two!". Radio Times. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  55. 1 2 The Daily Express
  56. The Daily Times
  57. the Daily Mail
  58. 1 2 Time Out
  59. The American Magazine
  60. Udeh, Bea. "Horrible Histories - Groovy Greeks & Incredible Invaders - LeftLion". www.leftlion.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  61. 1 2 "REVIEW: Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks, Theatre Royal Brighton - ★★★". The Argus. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  62. "Horrible Histories: Incredible Invaders and Groovy Greeks at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton".
  63. 1 2 "Review: Horrible Histories: The Groovy Greeks at Royal & Derngate until Saturday June 11". 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  64. 1 2 "Ruthless Roman, Vicious Vikings – and Groovy Greeks! Horrible Histories invade York - YorkMix". 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  65. "Horrible Histories: Incredible Invaders on tour". 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  66. "Horrible Histories author Terry Deary returns to the stage after 65 years". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  67. "Horrible Histories Terry delighted to be the villain of the piece at Sunderland Empire". www.sunderlandecho.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  68. "Returning to the boards he trod 65 years ago; Horrible Histories fans have double cause for celebration, writes What's On Editor GORDON BARR. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  69. "History's horrible, but it's fun as well; HORRIBLE HISTORIES, DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  70. "Review: Horrible Histories, Groovy Greeks, Grand Opera House, York, June 17". York Press. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  71. "REVIEW: Horrible Histories - Groovy Greeks, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  72. "Horrible Histories: Incredible Invaders review, Cambridge Arts Theatre". 2015-10-28. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  73. "REVIEW: Horrible Histories - Groovy Greeks". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  74. "REVIEW: How did Horrible Histories fare when the Groovy Greeks came to Chelmsford?". Chelmsford Weekly News. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  75. "Horrible Histories returns with Groovy Greeks and Incredible Invaders. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
  76. "Making past fun for parents and kids; REVIEW: Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks, New Theatre, Cardiff. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13.
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