Review: Horrible Histories – Awful Egyptians Live on Stage*

We were recently invited by The Regent Theatre to review the Horrible Histories – Awful Egyptians, a live stage production which has been adapted and brought to Stoke-on-Trent, by Birmingham Stage Company.  This theatre company is known for producing shows aimed at children and their families and has premiered plays such as David Walliams’s Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie as well as Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates amongst others.  The two Horrible Histories theatre productions (Awful Egyptians and Terrible Tudors) are based on a series of books written by Terry Deary, whose original idea was to write fun books about history. Who would have thought that his books would end up being bestsellers and later turned into television series, audiobooks, exhibition, award-winning theatre show (which has been going on for 25 years) and soon to be released the Horrible Histories Movie.   There are two shows being put on at The Regent Theatre this week, the Awful Egyptians and Terrible Tudors, which will be alternating in their stage-time to both educate and entertain audiences, you can read more about it here.

Arriving at The Regent Theatre, we were greeted by the Marketing Team and had a quick snack while we waited for the show to start. We would totally recommend getting the souvenir brochure and activity pack for the kids which cost £5 to keep the kids busy if you do get to the theatre early, these are sold by the theatre staff.  There is also a souvenir table (on the ground floor near the ticket counter) where you can buy memorabilia of the show and books which was quite popular with the audience. Both our 8-year-old and 6-year old kids totally love watching Horrible Histories.  In fact, when the television series is on, even my husband and I would end up watching the show,  humming to the songs and dancing to some groovy moves.  We totally admire how the show makes boring historical details (and sometimes gruesome facts) seem interesting for young kids and adults. Hence we (yes including us adults) were all excited to watch the live show and to meet fascinating pharaohs, learn about the pyramids and discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt.

The Awful Egyptian show opened up to a scene at the museum with Izaak Cainer, who plays Milo, an enthusiastic student who gets locked in the museum with his teacher Miss Happ played by Lisa Allen and the adventure they experience with Ramesses, played by Simon Nock.  Izaak was just so funny, and immediately got the kids laughing with his quirky jokes, behaviour and antics.   Lisa was so energetic and kept the momentum of the performance going while Simon was just amazing playing Ramesses (and many other characters so well). He has a great presence and the ability to change his voice to mimic other famous personalities such as President Trump as well as his ability to floss (which got the crowd bursting with laughter when he did it).

The production, on the whole, was quite small with only 3 casts and not many backdrops,  so we did miss the grandeur of what the television series would have offered us but that being said, the cast was talented and kept the crowd entertained with songs (including the Horrible Histories trademark song – Mummy Rap), dance, rapping (there were lots of songs and singing and even getting the crowd joining in). The second half of the show proved to be even more interesting with the usage of the ‘3D bogglevision’ which saw the cast racing through tombs trying to find the ancient treasures.  Our kids totally loved it as it was so interactive and it kept them on their toes.

We totally enjoyed being taken on a learning journey (with lots of gruesome facts and body parts thrown in) from how the pyramids were built to learning about the fascinating pharaohs, the powers of the pyramids, curse of Tutankhaumun and about death, decay and the journey through the Gates of the Afterlife.  My kids added that the best part for them was when they learnt how bodies were mummified…they totally enjoyed watching vital organs being removed from the body before it was mummified (don’t worry no person was harmed in the making of this show).  They totally loved watching body parts being removed and thrown about.  We must add that there is also a surprising amount of politic themed jokes thrown into the mix with the mention of Brexit which got the adults in stitches.

Cast Details

Simon Nock – Ramesses

Izaak Cainer – Milo

Lisa Allen – Miss Happ

How do I book tickets to watch Horrible Histories?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting ATG’s website here.  Do note its recommended for kids aged 5 and above.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be opening on Tuesday,  19 March 2019 and will run until Saturday, 23 March 2019. Here are the following times for both the shows.

Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors – 1.30pm on 19 & 20 March and 7pm on 22 and 23rd

Horrible Histories – Awful Egyptians – 7pm on 19th, 1.20pm on 21st, 10.30am on 22nd and 2.30 on 23rd.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £13 to £20 (Some seats include ice-cream)

Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke?
Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

• Parking is ample either arond the public car parks close to The Regent, but do check the rules. Some parking lots might need you to pay even at night. We parked up at intu Potteries and that cost us £1 (its fixed rate after 6pm).
• The Regent also provides binoculars (usually located at the back of each seats) for £1.
• Programme Booklets are usually on sale for £5, full details of the show and cast members are featured on it.
• The Regent is a beautiful theatre with ornate decor and traditional seating. It has plenty of performances out throughout the year and lots of variety.

About Birmingham Stage Company (BSC)

The Birmingham Stage Company is celebrating its twenty-sixth anniversary with this national tour of Horrible Histories. Founded by Actor/Manager Neal Foster, the MSC has staged over eighty productions in the UK and throughout the world, including Skellig in New York, Barmy Britain in the Sydney Opera House and George’s Marvellous Medicine in India.  The BSC works with Britain’s most important living writers, bringing their riveting stories to the state. Adaptations include Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo, The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman, David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories.

You may also want to read this:

Review: Gandeys Circus – The Greatest Show Tour heads to Newcastle-under-Lyme

Review: Opera North’s Katya Kabanova at The Lowry in Manchester

Photo Credit: Regent Theatre  / Mark Douet

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.