FINDING a successor to the legendary Roald Dahl was always going to be children literature’s equivalent to uncovering a worthy replacement for Manchester United football manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
But, whereas the likes of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal fell woefully short at Old Trafford, comedy favourite David Walliams has emerged as the unexpected successor to Dahl’s dark and devilish genius.
Walliams has now sold more than ten million copies of his books, which have been translated into over 40 different languages, to ensure, in the year that marked the late, great Dahl’s 100th birthday, that another lucky generation of youngsters have an author offering an alternative narrative to Disney’s often sickly-sweet servings.
Gangsta Granny, arguably the Britain’s Got Talent judge’s most famous publication, certainly borrows strongly from Dahl’s winning formula in the Birmingham Stage Company’s production.
The BSC’s past productions unsurprisingly include George’s Marvellous Medicine and the parents of child lead Ben in this show carry the same selfish streak, albeit with slightly less sinister overtones, as those in Dahl’s Matilda.
Revved up: Gangsta Granny on a scooter
Gangsta Granny’s obsession with cabbage also stirs memories of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, while Ben’s discovery of his grandmother’s secret past is reminiscent of Danny The Champion Of The World learning that his father is a poacher.
The unlikely bond that is formed by both revelations is equally strong and, therein, lies the beauty of Dahl and now Walliams with their expression of loving relationships and close connections between adults and children, even if it does lead to a plot to steal the Crown Jewels!
For all the humour, neither are afraid to broach sad life events either, with one scene towards the end of this play particularly emotional and touching.
But to pigeonhole Walliams simply as the world’s best Dahl mimic would be somewhat unfair. Gangsta Granny also bears hallmarks of Little Britain’s ingenuity.
Mr Nosey Parker, with his creepily disturbing voyeuristic tendencies, as well as camp Strictly ballroom dancer Flavio, are both characters that would be made for Walliams in any reprisal of the edgy TV show.
Slightly shady shop owner Raj, who might try and strike a deal with you on the stairs at the interval incidentally, is another role that would have graced Walliams’ famous collaboration with Matt Lucas. In fact, Benedict Martin (Mr Parker) and Umar Malik (Raj/Flavio) almost steal the show from the light-fingered grandmother and her besotted relation, whose funniest scene is the cleverly-written Gangsta Rap.
There are also fart jokes aplenty with Gangsta Grannie and the Queen, whose appearances represent another nod to Dahl’s BFG, both suffering from flatulence.
It is a condition excused with a hilarious “Pardon One” by the latter and you can’t really trump that!
Gangsta Granny runs at Grand Opera House, York, until Saturday, 10.30am and 7pm today and tomorrow; 2.30pm and 7pm on Saturday. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york
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