With the summer break upon us, we're making lots of lists of fun activities to keep the kiddos busy with, which includes the odd London theatre show. We just ticked David Walliams' live version of Billionaire Boy, showing at the Garrick Theatre, off the list so it would be rude not to whip up a review of this fun-packed, fart-packed, toe-tapping musical extravaganza that's running from now until 22 August 2021...
Billionaire Boy: what it's all about
This is David Walliams' third page to stage adaptation and follows the tale of Joe Spud, son of loo-crative toilet roll tycoon, Len Spud. But while Len might have more money than he could ever flush away on frivolous things like helicopters and pet alligators, what he doesn't have is a whole lot of time for his son. So, when Joe starts a new school to break away from his Billionaire Boy reputation, the giggles galore start as the Spud family navigate a world where money can't buy you everything you need to make you truly happy.
What we loved
The cast! There are not enough good things to say about this small-but-mighty crew and hats off to Matthew Gordon (Joe Spud) for totes nailing an angsty tween who just wants to be liked. Every cast member brought plenty of laughs to their roles, and we can't mention the actors without a special round of applause for Emma Matthews as dinner-lady-from-hell, Mrs Trafe. Deep fried blu tack anyone?
What did the kids love best? The toilet humour and general silliness, of course! Rafferty, age 9, would like it known that, "It made me laugh a lot as the jokes were really funny and when Joe went to the toilet the sounds were disgusting. I don't think I would like to have those school dinners in my school, but I would like to have a dad that is a billionaire and brought me my homework in a helicopter." Angelica, age 13, says, "The acting was very good and it was humorous. My favourite character was Bob, and I did feel really sorry for him so I was glad it turned out okay at the end. Oh, and the sets and props were really cool."
This is the perfect poo-joke filled intro to theatre for kids age 4-13ish, and okay, perhaps it's not quite as rib tickling for the adults, but there is plenty of singing, dancing and action to make this an all round, real family pleaser. And while we can't promise David Walliams will be there like he was when we caught the show, we can promise you'll leave the theatre with a large dose of the feelgood factor.
The essential deets
When: Now until 22 August 2021
Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HH
Cost: Tickets from £19.50 per person (and everyone needs their own ticket regardless of age).
Notes: The theatre does not supply booster cushions. 48 hours before your performance you will receive a pre-visit email with a check-in link from Nimax Theatres to confirm no one in your party has Covid or Covid symptoms. Book online here.
* London for Kidz were gifted tickets for this experience for the purposes of this review but all opinions are our own.
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