• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

Review / Billionaire Boy at the Garrick Theatre

July 25, 2021 by Antonia Windsor Leave a Comment

Review of: Billionaire Boy
Produced by:
Birmingham Stage Company
Price:
From £19.50 Prices include a £1.50 restoration levy

Reviewed by: Antonia Windsor
Rating:
3
On July 25, 2021
Last modified:July 25, 2021

Summary:

A fun over-the-top adaptation of David Walliams's Billionaire Boy by the Birmingham Stage Company with strong central performances by Matthew Gordon and Jake Lomas and tight ensemble work by the cast of nine.

More Details

The Birmingham Stage Company is back in the West End with an adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy after their success with Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie. This charming children’s show sees an ensemble cast tackle the story of Joe Spud (Mathew Gordon), the boy with pots of money but no friends.

Billionaire Boy Live on Stage 2021 by David Walliams from Birmingham Stage Company

Joe’s dad (played with cartoon comedy by Benedict Martin) has made his money through the invention of toilet tissue that is moist on one side and dry on the other, leading to a cacophony of bum jokes throughout the show, which pleases the children. Jacqueline Trousdale’s economical set makes full use of toilet rolls to create Joes home “Bum Fresh Towers”, the school and the shop manned by Raj (played by Irfan Damani who tries hard to play against Walliams’s stereotype). There are plenty of toe-tapping songs by Jack Poore, which bring the show to life.

Underneath the toilet humour and the stereotypes Gordon and Jake Lomas, who plays Joe’s only try friend Bob, bring out the heart in the piece with their sensitive and understated acting that draws the audience into the central moral of the piece: what does money matter if you don’t have love. Around them are larger-than-life characters, including a pair of bullies and a money-grabbing dinner lady (played with great comic timing by Emma Matthews), but the truth in the exchanges between Gordon and Lomas are what makes the show worth watching. Rosie Coles as Dad’s gold-digging fiancée Sapphire also really stands out, with a crystal clear singing voice and great movement precision.

The show is more low-budget than you would expect from the West End, but it does have it’s wow moment when the Dad arrives at the school in a helicopter. Neal Foster directs a tight ensemble with Mared Lewis making a notably charismatic West End debut.

CAST
Joe – Matthew Gordon
Dad – Benedict Martin
Raj – Irfan Damani
Mrs Trafe – Emma Matthews
Jayden – Matthew Chase
Sapphire – Rosie Coles
Bob – Jake Lomas
Understudy/ensemble – Raj Swamy
Understudy/ensemble – Mared Lewis

CREATIVE TEAM
Adapter and Director – Neal Foster
Designer – Jackie Trousdale
Lighting Designer – Jason Taylor
Composer – Jak Poore
Sound Designer – Nick Sagar
Choreographers – Paul Chantry & Rae Piper of Chantry Dance
Assistant to the Director – Alison Fitzjohn
Design Assistant/s – Millie Else & Maisie Jackaman
Casting – Kay Magson
Production Manager – Adrian Littlejohns

Author: Antonia Windsor

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Children's Theatre

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre

Written by Fraser Grace (Breakfast with Mugabe, RSC), Bliss is based on a short story by censored writer Andrey Platonov. It’s at Finborough [Read More]

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Going Dark: Will the Last Artist to Leave England Please Switch off the Light?
  • Does Small to Mid Scale Theatre Touring Actually Work?
  • After All This- Ovalhouse
  • Actor John Heffernan on Swings and Roundabouts
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Blasted- Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
  • Antonia Windsor
    Author

  • July 25th, 2021
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!