We were kindly gifted tickets to see Billionaire Boy as a family at The Belgrade Theatre Coventry.
Apart from the panto, the boys haven’t seen a musical style performance so I was really looking forward to seeing how the boys found sitting still and quiet through a performance that isn’t as engaging as the panto. The boys are 6 and 9.
See our review on Beauty & The Beast here.
I was lucky enough to see Billionaire Boy 3 years ago at The Belgrade also a Gifted experience, so I have the two to compare too.
Firstly we are a big fan of David Walliams and have a good selection of his books we are working our way through. We haven’t gotten to Billionaire boy yet so the story was completely new to the children.
They loved the slack stick comedy from start to finish, it made them laugh out loud! Especially being typical boys they talk abouts Bums! There were some great songs that they have been singing at home, they had a good boogie in their seats too but the performance wasn’t overwhelming with songs for them to lose interest.
With most children aimed performances there were a couple of adult jokes which were funny and helped keep parents engaged.
They loved the characters especially shopkeeper Raj as we have read about him in previous stories.
The set was super simple and had little changes and cute hidden bits within the set that the boys commented on and liked. The costumes were great and engaging for the children. The boys loved the props…
SPOILER ALERT
The boys lost their minds over the helicopter scene and couldn’t believe a “real helicopter” was on the stage, in Es words “this is so incredibly awesome”
I do however have a negative about the show, as a parent I didn’t like the mention of Bodyweight and the overuse of calling people fat and comparing body weights. I felt that wasn’t needed and not something that should be brought to children’s minds. A little more diversity in the cast too would have been ace!
There was a great twist at the end that the children didn’t see coming, it had them on the edges of their seats literally.
They both got a little teary-eyed at the end and said “I feel like im going to cry” which for me was a massive winner! When a show takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and engages with you that much you connect with the characters it’s such an amazing experience.
The moral of the story was lovely and showed the children how to value friends, money doesn’t bring you happiness and that material items are not important.
Overall it was a lovely show. Different to the one that came a few years back so well worth a visit even if you have seen it before!
Book your tickets to see Billionaire Boy here
Do you like David Walliams Books? Have you any plans to book in at The Belgrade soon? I would love to know?
Saff xo
*A special thanks to The Belgrade Coventry for gifting this experience to us in exchange for a review
Photo Credit The Belgrade
Billionaire Boy Live on Stage written by David Walliams at Birmingham Stage Company CAST Joe -Matthew Gordon Dad – Jason Furnival Raj – Aosaf Afzal Mrs Trafe – Emma Matthews Jayden – Bernard Mensah Sapphire – Rosie Coles Bob – Davy Bell Understudy – Joe Sangha Understudy – 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 Company Assistant to the Director – Alison Fitzjohn Design Assistant/s – Millie Else & Maisie Jackaman Casting – Kay Magson Production Manager – Adrian Littlejohns Photo by Mark Douet
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