Cabbage-crunching, criminal mastermind Gangsta Granny storms into Manchester Opera House next week.
The story, by David Walliams, creator of the comedy series Little Britain, is brought to life by Birmingham Stage Company. BSC’s previous productions have included Horrible Histories, George’s Marvellous Medicine and Tom’s Midnight Garden.
David Walliams began his publishing career at Harper Collins in 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress. Then, after writing two other popular stories, in 2011 he published Gangsta Granny. The book was shortlisted for both The Red House Children’s Book Award and for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He has since become one of the best-selling authors for children in the country.
What is Gangsta Granny about?
It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake, and Ben knows one thing for sure, it’s going to be so boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!
“All you can do in this life is follow your dreams. Otherwise you’re just wasting your time”, explains Gangsta Granny.
Walliams puts the inspiration for Gangsta Granny firmly with his own grans, commenting, “When I was a child I would spend lots of time with my grandmas. Sometimes I would selfishly think spending time with them could be boring but when I got them on a subject like living in London during World War II when bombs were raining down, they would become very animated and I would be enthralled. I realised everyone has a story to tell.” He also acknowledges that there was a distinct small of cabbage at one of his grans, whilst the other did break wind like a duck quacking.
Where and when is Gangsta Granny being performed in Manchester?
Gangsta Granny runs at Manchester’s Opera House from Wednesday 7 June until Sunday 11 June 2017.
Performance times: Wednesday and Friday 10am and 7pm; Thursday 10am and 2pm; Saturday 10.30am and 2.30pm and Sunday 11am.
Tickets priced from £19.