Photo courtesty of Mark Douet
Birmingham Stage Company brings together the magic of David Walliams’ seventh book, ‘Awful Auntie’ on stage at Regent Theatre this week.
Telling the story of 12 year old Lady Stella Saxby, who awakens to discover she cannot move having been wrapped in bandages for three months after being involved in a car accident which has claimed the lives of her parents. Under the guise of helping, Aunt Alberta and her pet owl Wagner have moved into Saxby Hall, but is she all that she seems to be? (the title would suggest not).
In fact, Aunt Alberta is only keeping Stella alive until she can find the deeds to Saxby Hall and tricking Stella to sign them over to her. Can resident ghost “Soot” help Stella to foil her aunt’s plans and uncover the truth around her parents’ death?
Their previous adaptation of ‘Gangsta Granny’ received an Olivier Award nomination so its no surprise that this production is of similar high quality.
First of all, it’s fun for all ages. Our party had ages 74 through to 5 and all found it entertaining. Clever dialogue, humorous, energetic performances and jokes for all the family keep everyone engaged throughout.
Zain Abrahams excellently plays the titular role of Aunty Alberta, the villainous caricature. Supporting the comedy are strong performances from Annie Cordoni as Stella and Frankie Oldham as Gibbon. Matthew Allen portrayal of Soot is warm and endearing. Emily Essery cleverly operates the puppet Wagner with such realism that you tend to forget its being operated as such by the middle of the first half
The set minimal but effective with just a small number of rotations transforming you around the house itself. In keeping with the high quality puppetry, the sections of the outside of the house were cleverly done.
It’s fun for all the family and is on until Saturday 5th, with Friday and Saturday matinees. Tickets can be purchased from the box office or online here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/awful-auntie/regent-theatre/
