Gangsta Granny review round-up

David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny opens to rave reviews at the Garrick Theatre.

The stage adaptation of David Walliams much loved children’s book by Horrible Histories maestro Neal Foster hits all the right notes as it arrives in the West End.

Now firmly established in children’s literature, Walliams stories are witty, inventive, eccentric and full of heart.

Gangsta Granny, possibly his best to date, appeals to young and old, and their growing sense of neglect. As Ben and his Granny, two outsiders join forces to conduct the ultimate heist, Neal Foster fills every second with ballroom dancing, dazzling re-enactments, loony puppet shows and a gangsta rap to boot.

Buy tickets to Gangsta Granny

Gangsta Granny is welcome addition to the growing number of summer-time family show.

Read our round-up of reviews below.

Gangsta Granny runs until 3 September 2017 at the Garrick Theatre.

2021 UPDATE: Gangsta Granny is now playing at the Bloomsbury Theatre – Book Tickets >

Average Critics Rating

★★★★

Gangsta Granny reviews

The Guardian

★★★★

"https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/02/gangsta-granny-review-david-walliams-west-end"

"Neal Foster has created a gentle, genial show based on the bestselling book about a boy and his gran joining forces for a heist at the Tower of London"

"Even if the story now packs few surprises, it is a welcome addition to the growing roster of summer-time family shows."

Michael Billington, The Guardian

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The Times

★★★★

"The stage version of David Walliams’s popular children’s book is a moving lesson about why we should value old people — with added fart jokes"

"This is tear-jerking stuff. In a good way, although be ready for an educational chat with your child afterwards about why we value the elderly."

Kate Maltby, The Times

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Camden New Journal

"destined to be every bit of a hit, full of laugh-out-loud jokes, booming music and fast-paced action to enthuse grannies and grandchildren."

Angela Cobbinah, Camden New Journal

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The Express

★★★★

"David Williams' funny and deeply touching play"

"You can always rely on David Walliams to push the boundaries of political correctness in the name of comedy and his new stage show Gangsta Granny is no exception."

Ruth Hughes, The Express

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REVIEWS ROUND-UP

The Guardian

★★★★

'Even if the story now packs few surprises, it is a welcome addition to the growing roster of summer-time family shows.' 'The secret of its success is simple: it appeals simultaneously to the kinship between the young and old and their shared sense of neglect.' 'the prime virtue of the story lies in its good nature and a gentle comedy that has Ben and his gran dressed in diving gear careering down a motorway on a mobility scooter.' Michael Billington, The Guardian
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Time Out

★★★★

'David Walliams.... writes proper children’s stories: witty, eccentric, brimming with ideas and full of heart. 'Gangsta Granny' is one of his very best and this stage adaptation, helmed by 'Horrible Histories' maestro Neal Foster, is as sparkly as a 'Strictly' costume and properly moving to boot.' 'It’s all seriously silly fun and rather bonkers in a very British way (fart jokes and puns abound and even the Queen gets in on the action).' 'Jacqueline Trousdale’s set spills over with bright colours, tinsel and sumptuous detail. Beds spring out from walls and Granny’s chintz-filled home bursts out of a box. This is a stage full of hidden worlds and secrets, where nothing is quite as it seems.' Miriam Gillinson, TimeOut
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The Times

★★★★

'This is tear-jerking stuff. In a good way, although be ready for an educational chat with your child afterwards about why we value the elderly.' 'Gilly Tompkins and a disconcertingly youthful Ashley Cousins have just the right heartwarming chemistry as Granny and young Ben, Tompkins letting off a series of cabbage-influenced farts at just the right moment.' 'There are a few stretches of plot. Ben’s parents are obsessive ballroom dancers, which is mainly an excuse for entertaining dance interludes at every scene change.' Kate Maltby, The Times
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