Following acclaimed productions of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist, Birmingham Stage Company have staged a brand new production of David Walliams’ amazing adventure, featuring a small ghost, a huge owl and a very awful Auntie!
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| Photo by Mark Douet |
When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, she has no idea her life is in danger! Waking up three months later, only Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie!
Taking on the role of Aunt Alberta is director Neal Foster. With the show opening at the Milton Keynes Theatre we sat down with Neal to learn more.
What can you tell me about Awful Auntie and your role within the show?
David Walliams is one of Britain’s most popular writers for children and his story about Awful Auntie is so brilliant I asked if I could turn it into a stage show. It’s an epic story about a young girl called Stella, who wakes up to find she’s been in a coma for three months and is now under the care of her Aunt Alberta. But Alberta has some wicked plans and Stella is soon in a battle for her life against her very own awful Auntie! Having written the script, I also wanted to direct the production and star as Aunt Alberta - and David Walliams said ‘YES’!
David Walliams is one of Britain’s most popular writers for children and his story about Awful Auntie is so brilliant I asked if I could turn it into a stage show. It’s an epic story about a young girl called Stella, who wakes up to find she’s been in a coma for three months and is now under the care of her Aunt Alberta. But Alberta has some wicked plans and Stella is soon in a battle for her life against her very own awful Auntie! Having written the script, I also wanted to direct the production and star as Aunt Alberta - and David Walliams said ‘YES’!
What is it about this story that appealed to you?
What’s great about the show is that it is a real thriller, while at the same time being really funny. It’s what makes the show such a challenge – keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, while at the same time making them laugh throughout.
What’s great about the show is that it is a real thriller, while at the same time being really funny. It’s what makes the show such a challenge – keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, while at the same time making them laugh throughout.
How do you approach the direction when working on an adaption of a book?
I am very lucky to have a brilliant designer called Jackie Trousdale, who created the extraordinary mansion in which the show takes place. So once I saw Jackie’s great design, we spent our time working out how we could recreate all the amazing scenes from the book within her extraordinary set.
I am very lucky to have a brilliant designer called Jackie Trousdale, who created the extraordinary mansion in which the show takes place. So once I saw Jackie’s great design, we spent our time working out how we could recreate all the amazing scenes from the book within her extraordinary set.
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| Photo by Mark Douet |
David is one of the most professional people I’ve ever met. I send him my first draft so he can give me his notes. Then he comes into rehearsals to give his thoughts about the production. David always comes to the first performance so we can chat about the show afterwards and he remains hugely supportive throughout the tour. It’s been such a pleasure to work with him on this and our other productions of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist.
What is it like directing yourself as well as the company?
I’ve been directing myself in our productions of Horrible Histories since 2012 so I’ve got used to doing it. But for this production I also had the help of my co-director Ricky Hinds who was amazing in putting the show together.
What is it like directing yourself as well as the company?
I’ve been directing myself in our productions of Horrible Histories since 2012 so I’ve got used to doing it. But for this production I also had the help of my co-director Ricky Hinds who was amazing in putting the show together.
How do you approach blending the dark and the light of the role and the production?
This is what makes the part such a wonderful challenge – being menacing and funny at the same time. It means you keep surprising the audience because they never know how crazy or funny you’re going to be at each and every moment.
This is what makes the part such a wonderful challenge – being menacing and funny at the same time. It means you keep surprising the audience because they never know how crazy or funny you’re going to be at each and every moment.
How do you physically and mentally prepare for a performance in the show?
The show is a lot of fun, so I like to get ready while listening to really fun music. My latest discovery is ‘Prisencolinensinainciusol’ by Adriano Celentano. It popped up on youtube one day and I’ve been playing it before each show ever since! It’s mad and very catchy.
The show is a lot of fun, so I like to get ready while listening to really fun music. My latest discovery is ‘Prisencolinensinainciusol’ by Adriano Celentano. It popped up on youtube one day and I’ve been playing it before each show ever since! It’s mad and very catchy.
What keeps you inspired?
The audiences are always the driving force behind everything we do. When it works, sitting together in a theatre can be one of the most fabulous experiences you can have. That’s what keeps us working at creating these magical productions.
The audiences are always the driving force behind everything we do. When it works, sitting together in a theatre can be one of the most fabulous experiences you can have. That’s what keeps us working at creating these magical productions.
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| Photo by Mark Douet |
If we’ve achieved our goal, the audience will come out having experienced a tremendous family adventure, which has made them laugh and gasp, and feeling they’ve had the most amazing fun journey!
Awful Auntie plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from Thursday 31st October until Saturday 2nd November 2024. Tickets are available from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/awful-auntie/milton-keynes-theatre/
The show then plays at New Wimbledon Theatre from Thursday 7th November until Sunday 10th November 2024. Tickets are available from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/awful-auntie/new-wimbledon-theatre/
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