Awful Auntie

The Alexandra Theatre

Birmingham

17th - 19th October 2024

Birmingham Stage Company present David Walliams’ ‘Awful Auntie,’ adapted and co-directed by Neal Foster. Starring Annie Cordoni (Stella Saxby), Matthew Allen (Soot), Aunt Alberta (Neal Foster), Emily Essery (Wagner) and Zain Abrahams (Gibbon).

Awful Auntie is a stage adaptation of David Walliams’ popular children’s book, brought to life as a live theatrical performance. The story follows a young girl named Stella, who, after a car accident, finds herself under the care of her scheming Aunt Alberta. As Stella tries to uncover the truth behind the accident and her parents’ mysterious disappearance, she faces the devious plans of her awful aunt and a comedic battle for survival.

The stage production, like the book, is full of humour, quirky characters, and dramatic twists. Aunt Alberta, who is obsessed with owning Saxby Hall, uses every trick in the book to control Stella, but she faces resistance from an unexpected ally, a friendly ghost named Soot. The show has garnered praise for its inventive set designs, puppetry (especially with the giant owl Wagner, Alberta’s pet), and clever use of special effects that bring the zany and adventurous world of the book to life.

The stage set for Awful Auntie is cleverly designed to capture the essence of the quirky and gothic world from David Walliams’ book. The most notable feature is a rotating stage that allows quick scene transitions between different rooms in Saxby Hall, the grand, old mansion where the story takes place. This feature creates a dynamic, fast-paced feel, moving the audience smoothly from one location to another without interrupting the flow of the action. Saxby Hall is portrayed as a sprawling, slightly eerie mansion with tall windows, stone walls, and intricate detailing, giving it a haunted, old-world charm. The set’s architecture complements the dark humour of the story and enhances the atmosphere of mystery. Since Aunt Alberta is an eccentric character with strange inventions, the set includes fun, mechanical elements that reflect her bizarre personality. Trap doors, hidden passageways, and other theatrical tricks are built into the set to keep the action exciting and unpredictable. Alberta’s giant owl, Wagner, is brought to life with puppetry, and the set incorporates elements like flying effects for the owl. Additionally, there are smoke machines, sound effects, and lighting techniques to create moments of surprise and suspense. The production captures the feel of an old English estate with classic Victorian touches, from the furniture to the colour palette. This not only sets the period but also heightens the contrast between the stately home and the wild antics that unfold within it.

Overall, the Awful Auntie stage set is designed to immerse the audience in a whimsical, slightly spooky, and comically sinister environment.

One notable character from Awful Auntie is Aunt Alberta, the primary antagonist of the story. She’s a hilariously over-the-top villain with a quirky and menacing personality, making her both memorable and entertaining to watch. Aunt Alberta is obsessed with gaining control of Saxby Hall and will stop at nothing to get her way, even if it means manipulating and terrorizing the young, Stella. Her relentless scheming makes her a formidable and, at times, comical villain. Despite her dark motives, Alberta’s antics are filled with humour. From her ridiculous plans to her obsession with her pet owl, Wagner, she brings a lot of physical comedy and absurdity to the story. Her exaggerated behaviour makes her larger than life. As in the book Alberta is depicted as a former Bavarian military officer who never quite let go of her love for war and domination. This odd backstory, paired with her strange habits and eccentricities, adds layers to her character, making her both ridiculous and intimidating. Her constant companion, Wagner, the giant owl, adds another layer of comedy and personality to her character. Their interactions often provide some of the funniest moments in the play.

Aunt Alberta’s mix of humour, madness, and villainy makes her a standout character and one of the most fun elements of the Awful Auntie stage adaptation.

The moral of Awful Auntie, both the book and the stage play, centre around themes of courage, loyalty, and the importance of family. Stella, the protagonist, shows immense bravery in the face of adversity as she tries to uncover the truth about her parents’ death and stand up to her scheming Aunt Alberta. Her journey teaches several key lessons and despite being outmatched by her manipulative aunt, Stella never gives up fighting for her family’s legacy and for justice. This highlights the importance of standing firm in the face of wrongdoing, even when the odds seem against you. Throughout the story, Stella learns to trust and rely on unexpected allies, like the ghost Soot. This underscores the idea that real loyalty and friendship can come from the most surprising places, and these relationships are invaluable in difficult times. Aunt Alberta’s obsession with wealth and power, especially her desire to own Saxby Hall ultimately leads to her downfall. This reflects the moral that greed and selfishness often come with a heavy price, whereas kindness and honesty prevail. Stella’s relationship with her parents, even in their absence, and her growing bond with Soot suggest that family connections are not just about blood relations but also about the love, care, and loyalty people show each other.

Overall, the moral of Awful Auntie encourages resilience in the face of hardship, the importance of integrity, and the value of meaningful relationships over material wealth.

Would I recommend Awful Auntie? Yes, I would recommend Awful Auntie as a stage play, especially for families and children. It’s a fun, fast-paced production that blends humour, adventure, and a bit of mystery in a way that appeals to both kids and adults. While it’s primarily a children’s story, the wit and humour are clever enough to keep adults entertained too. It strikes a nice balance between being light-hearted and engaging. The inventive set design, use of puppetry (especially Wagner, the owl), and special effects make it a visually exciting experience. The rotating stage, hidden traps, and other theatrical elements add to the show’s charm. The play delivers important themes about family, courage, and standing up for what’s right, wrapped up in a humorous and adventurous package. Aunt Alberta is a hilariously exaggerated villain, and Stella’s bravery makes her a relatable heroine. Kids tend to love the quirky characters, especially Wagner the owl.

If you enjoy stories with eccentric characters, imaginative settings, and a mix of humour and heart, Awful Auntie is definitely a good pick. “Awful Auntie’s Absurd Antics” is also a great introduction to theatre for younger audiences. Sadly, this production at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham is only showing until Saturday 19th October 2024! Don’t miss this opportunity! Tickets are still available at www.atgtickets.com

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five star performance