Showing @ King’s Theatre, Edinburgh until Sat 15 Jun
It’s been 20 years since author Terry Deary and illustrator Martin Brown’s first Horrible Histories book was published. Since then, they’ve gone on to spawn an empire almost as impressive as any of those they write about. Horrible Histories has generated a BAFTA-winning television sketch show, a range of toys and games, a magazine and the first feature-length Horrible Histories film is also in the works. In addition to this, Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre is currently playing host to touring productions of two different Horrible Histories live shows, Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians.
The production values are immediately obvious, with impressive sets, lavish costumes and enthusiastic performances from Christopher Gunter as the dashing rogue Dr Dee, Tessa Vale and Ashley Bowden as his cohorts Dross and Drab and Amanda Wright as officious buzzkill Miss Tree. However it does take a bit of time to get started. Although the Tudor family’s rise to power is a little slow by the time we reach Henry VIII the familiar winning formula has hit it’s stride and the young audience soon reach fever pitch.
For those unfamiliar with Horrible Histories, think Blackadder for the primary school set. The combination of songs, jokes, a few creepy thrills, audience participation and plenty of nasty facts makes for a sort of painlessly educational pantomime-style experience. The second act is performed in “3D boggle vision” which draws the audience into the action of battles, jailbreaks, and even an execution. Children are sure to love it, but so will their parents, grandparents, and any other adults willing to brave the gaggles of schoolchildren. As a night at the theatre Terrible Tudors is impossible to fault, it may not be highbrow but it’s guaranteed to be a great deal of fun.