This isn’t a sponsored post.
#BrumHour was invited to the Billionaire Boy press night by Belgrade Theatre.
By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Billionaire Boy the Musical at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
The brilliant world of David Walliams lands back in Coventry for half term with the arrival of Billionaire Boy the Musical at Belgrade Theatre.
Joe Spud (Ryan Heenan) wants to be a regular twelve year old, however his dad Len Spud (Dean Nolan), is a billionaire bog roll manufacturer, making Joe a billionaire boy. Joe is lonely and getting bullied at private school and after some begging his dad, who doesn’t give him any attention, lets him going to the “local comprehensive”.
At the new school Joe makes friends with Bob (Lem Knights), and discovers that Bob is also being bullied by the Grubbs, Dave and Sue (Jared Leathwood and Natalie Morgan). Joe thinks that money is the answer and buys their good behaviour. Bob invites Joe home for dinner and through Bob’s Mum, Gwen (Sophia Nomvete) Joe discovers that he and Bob both have lost a parent. As the story continues, Joe then meets a girl! Lauren (Eleanor Kane).
Billionaire Boy tells the lives of working class people living very normal lives, There are the usual characters on the edge that represent David Walliams typical style characters like Sapphire (Avita Jay) is driven by greed, and inventor Raj (Also played by Avita Jay) the unconventional school canteen manager (also played by Dean Nolan).
With narration from multiple characters, moments of running into the audience, reacting to laughter or applause, the script contains many references to this being a storytelling show and is suitable for younger theatre goers aged seven or eight and above, There’s topical jokes for the grownups.
Normally for me, musicals are about the music and the orchestra, Billionaire Boy is about being yourself, coping with changes and not wishing life away. The jokes vary from being actually funny to deliberately punny. I enjoyed my trip over to Coventry and the chance to see this lovely production in the midlands.
For future Billionaire Boy dates check out producers Birmingham Stage upcoming tours: birminghamstage.com/shows
When not blogging theatre for #BrumHour, Dave Massey can be found eating crisps and claiming to be at the gym. And tweeting about Birmingham.
