gangsta granny uk tour

Gangsta Granny

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Past Events

Here are the most recent UK tour dates we had listed for Gangsta Granny. Were you there?

August 2022

• Tue 9 Aug → Sat 13 Aug Plymouth, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny
• Wed 3 Aug → Sat 6 Aug Eastbourne, Congress Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 28 Jul → Sun 31 Jul Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 21 Jul → Sun 24 Jul Cardiff, New Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 14 Jul → Sun 17 Jul Peterborough New Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 7 Jul → Sun 10 Jul Richmond Theatre, Surrey Gangsta Granny
• Thu 30 Jun → Sun 3 Jul Darlington Hippodrome Gangsta Granny
• Thu 23 Jun → Sun 26 Jun Perth Theatre & Concert Hall Gangsta Granny
• Wed 1 Jun → Sat 4 Jun Glasgow, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny
• Wed 25 May → Sat 28 May Barnstaple, Queens Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 18 May → Sun 22 May Belfast, Grand Opera House Gangsta Granny
• Wed 11 May → Sat 14 May New Theatre Oxford Gangsta Granny
• Wed 4 May → Sat 7 May Dartford, Orchard Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 27 Apr → Sun 1 May Lighthouse, Poole Gangsta Granny
• Thu 14 Apr → Sun 17 Apr Chester, Storyhouse Gangsta Granny
• Thu 31 Mar → Sun 3 Apr Blackpool, Grand Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 24 Mar → Sat 26 Mar Torquay, Princess Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 17 Mar → Sun 20 Mar Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn Gangsta Granny
• Wed 9 Mar → Sun 13 Mar Nottingham, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Gangsta Granny
• Wed 2 Mar → Sat 5 Mar Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre Gangsta Granny

February 2022

• Wed 23 Feb → Sat 26 Feb Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 16 Feb → Sat 19 Feb Truro, Hall For Cornwall Gangsta Granny
• Wed 9 Feb → Sat 12 Feb Woking, New Victoria Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 3 Feb → Sun 6 Feb York, Grand Opera House Gangsta Granny

January 2022

• Wed 26 Jan → Sat 29 Jan Hull New Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 19 Jan → Sat 22 Jan Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 12 Jan → Sun 16 Jan Southampton, MAST Mayflower Studios Gangsta Granny

December 2021

• Thu 9 Dec → Sun 9 Jan London, Bloomsbury Theatre Gangsta Granny

November 2021

• Wed 24 Nov → Sun 28 Nov Manchester, Opera House Gangsta Granny
• Wed 17 Nov → Sat 20 Nov Sunderland Empire Gangsta Granny
• Wed 10 Nov → Sat 13 Nov Brighton, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny
• Wed 3 Nov → Sat 6 Nov Milton Keynes Theatre Gangsta Granny

October 2021

• Wed 27 Oct → Sat 30 Oct Cambridge Arts Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 20 Oct → Sat 23 Oct Birmingham, The Alexandra Theatre Gangsta Granny

September 2021

• Thu 30 Sep → Sat 2 Oct Bradford, Alhambra Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 16 Sep → Sun 19 Sep Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn Gangsta Granny

August 2021

• Thu 12 Aug → Sun 15 Aug Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 5 Aug → Sat 7 Aug The Bristol Hippodrome Gangsta Granny
• Thu 15 Jul → Sun 18 Jul Richmond Theatre, Surrey Gangsta Granny
• Wed 7 Jul → Sun 11 Jul Nottingham, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Gangsta Granny
• Wed 30 Jun → Sat 3 Jul Glasgow, Kings Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Fri 18 Jun → Sun 20 Jun Barnstaple, Queens Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 9 Jun → Sun 13 Jun Lighthouse, Poole Gangsta Granny
• Thu 3 Jun → Sun 6 Jun York, Grand Opera House Gangsta Granny
• Thu 27 May → Sun 30 May Carlisle, The Sands Centre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 19 May → Sat 22 May Swindon, Wyvern Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Wed 21 Apr → Sat 24 Apr The Bristol Hippodrome Gangsta Granny
• Wed 3 Mar → Sat 6 Mar Birmingham, The Alexandra Theatre Gangsta Granny

February 2021

• Thu 25 Feb → Sun 28 Feb Darlington Hippodrome Gangsta Granny

January 2021

• Thu 28 Jan → Sun 31 Jan Edinburgh, Kings Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 21 Jan → Sun 24 Jan High Wycombe, Swan Theatre Gangsta Granny
• Thu 14 Jan → Sun 17 Jan Hull New Theatre Gangsta Granny

December 2020

• Thu 10 Dec → Sun 3 Jan London, Bloomsbury Theatre Gangsta Granny

August 2018

• Tue 14 Aug → Sun 26 Aug London, The Harold Pinter Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 11 Jul → Sun 15 Jul Nottingham, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 5 Jul → Sun 8 Jul Hull New Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 27 Jun → Sat 30 Jun Carlisle, The Sands Centre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 6 Jun → Sat 9 Jun Grimsby Auditorium Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 30 May → Sat 2 Jun Newcastle upon Tyne, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 23 May → Sat 26 May Dartford, Orchard Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 16 May → Sat 19 May Belfast, Grand Opera House Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Tue 8 May → Sat 12 May The Courtyard - Herefordshire's Centre for the Arts Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 2 May → Sat 5 May Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 26 Apr → Sat 28 Apr Inverness, Eden Court Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Fri 20 Apr → Sun 22 Apr Worthing, Pavilion Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 11 Apr → Sat 14 Apr Chester, Storyhouse Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 4 Apr → Sat 7 Apr Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Tue 27 Mar → Sun 1 Apr Bath Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 22 Mar → Sat 24 Mar Hertford, BEAM Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 26 Jul → Sun 3 Sep London, Garrick Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 19 Jul → Sun 23 Jul Plymouth, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 13 Jul → Sat 15 Jul Norwich, Theatre Royal Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 5 Jul → Sun 9 Jul Southend-on-Sea, Cliffs Pavilion Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 28 Jun → Sun 2 Jul Leicester, De Montfort Hall Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 21 Jun → Sun 25 Jun Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 14 Jun → Sat 17 Jun Aberdeen, His Majesty's Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 7 Jun → Sun 11 Jun Manchester, Opera House Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 31 May → Sat 3 Jun The Bristol Hippodrome Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 24 May → Sun 28 May Lighthouse, Poole Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 17 May → Sun 21 May Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 10 May → Sun 14 May Sunderland Empire Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 3 May → Sun 7 May Leeds Grand Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 19 Apr → Sun 23 Apr Liverpool Empire Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 12 Apr → Sun 16 Apr Buxton Opera House Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 5 Apr → Sun 9 Apr Ipswich, Regent Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 29 Mar → Sat 1 Apr Swansea Grand Theatre and Arts Wing Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 22 Mar → Sun 26 Mar Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 16 Mar → Sun 19 Mar Horsham, The Capitol Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 8 Mar → Sun 12 Mar Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 1 Mar → Sun 5 Mar Forum Theatre, Billingham Gangsta Granny (Touring)

February 2017

• Thu 23 Feb → Sun 26 Feb Basingstoke, The Anvil Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 15 Feb → Sat 18 Feb Portsmouth, Kings Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)

November 2016

• Wed 30 Nov → Sat 3 Dec Newtown, The Hafren Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 24 Nov → Sun 27 Nov High Wycombe, Swan Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 16 Nov → Sun 20 Nov Derby Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Thu 10 Nov → Sun 13 Nov Crawley, The Hawth Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Tue 1 Nov → Sat 5 Nov London, New Wimbledon Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)

October 2016

• Tue 25 Oct → Sat 29 Oct Cambridge Arts Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 19 Oct → Sat 22 Oct Weston-super-Mare, The Playhouse Theatre Gangsta Granny (Touring)
• Wed 12 Oct → Sun 16 Oct Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn Gangsta Granny (Touring)

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Gangsta Granny Returns for UK Tour

Hot on the heels of a recent Oliver Award nomination, Birmingham Stage Company’s hit adaptation of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny is beginning a new tour of the UK and Ireland. Heading out on the road from 22 March – 15 July, Granny’s tour takes in Bath, Inverness, Dartford, Newcastle, Belfast and Dublin amongst many other towns and cities within its 16 week schedule.

The show first toured for 18 months from Autumn 2015 ahead of a successful West End season in the summer of 2017, but this will be Granny’s first stage appearance since being nominated for a 2018 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family.

From the stage at the Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre on the first tour, author David Walliams said of the stage adaptation: “What a fantastic show! It’s truly brilliant! And so much better than the book!”

David began his publishing career at HarperCollins in early 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress. Then, after writing two other popular stories, in 2011 he published Gangsta Granny, which was shortlisted for both The Red House Children’s Book Award and for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. At Christmas 2013 a TV version of Gangsta Granny was shown on BBC One with an all-star cast including David Walliams himself. Gangsta Granny went straight to number 1 in the children’s book charts and his books have been translated into no fewer than 53 languages.

Gangsta Granny is adapted and directed by Neal Foster, the Actor / Manager of Birmingham Stage Company. On the eve of the second tour he said “I’m delighted Granny is out on the road again off the back of her Olivier Award nomination and I know she’s looking forward to stealing more hearts around the country.”

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It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

Gangsta Granny is a must for all families as the show is enjoyed by everyone from 5 to 105! It’s both laugh out loud funny with some brilliant comic scenes but also has some very moving and truthful things to say about family relationships.

Staff Writer

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November 15, 2016

David Walliams' Gangsta Granny UK Tour

Birmingham Stage Company will present David Walliams' Gangsta Granny around the UK in 2017. Based on Walliams' best-selling book - Gangsta Granny was recently nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Best Show For Children and Young People.

It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

Gangsta Granny is adapted and directed by Neal Foster, design is by Jackie Trousdale, lighting by Jason Taylor, sound by Nick Sagar, music by Jak Poore and choreography by Paul Chantry & Rae Piper of Chantry Dance Company.

Gangsta Granny is suitable for ages 5+

GANGSTA GRANNY UK TOUR

19 - 23 April 2017

Liverpool Empire

10 - 14 May 2017

Sunderland Empire

17 - 21 May 2017

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

31 May - 3 June 2017

Bristol Hippodrome

7 - 11 June 2017

Opera House Manchester

26 July - 3 September 2017

Garrick Theatre

TO GET INFORMATION ON OTHER GREAT CHILDREN'S SHOWS JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Gangsta Granny 2018 at the Birmingham Stage Company. Photo by Mark Douet

David Walliams' Gangsta Granny (Photo: Mark Douet)

Gangsta Granny

It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake, and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooo boring!

But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

From the acclaimed producers of Billionaire Boy and Awful Auntie comes the award-winning West End production of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children.

This Olivier Award-nominated show will have a strictly limited season from 9 December – 9 January, so grab your tickets now and don’t miss out!

Age Suitability For This Show Unlike film, theatre doesn't have an official age classification organisation. That means all age recommendations are subjective and should be treated as guidelines unless otherwise stated. With this in mind, we ask you to use your judgement in regards to a show's suitability prior to purchase. However, we are more than happy to help you make a decision. Please email our Customer Care team to find out more about your chosen show.

Age Suitability: 5+

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Unlike film, theatre doesn't have an official age classification organisation. That means all age recommendations are subjective and should be treated as guidelines unless otherwise stated. With this in mind, we ask you to use your judgement in regards to a show’s suitability prior to purchase. However, we are more than happy to help you make a decision. Please email [email protected] to find out more about your chosen show.

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Gangsta Granny Tickets

About gangsta granny.

Neal Foster's adaptation David Walliams' popular children's book Gangsta Granny transfers to the Bloomsbury Theatre in 2021. Gangsta Granny  tickets will be available on London Theatre soon. 

9th December, 2021

9th January, 2022

Bloomsbury Theatre & Studio

Gangsta granny cast and creative team.

By : David Walliams Director : Neal Foster Design : Jackie Trousdale Lighting : Jason Taylor Choreography : Paul Chantry Sound : Nick Sagar

Location : Fringe Railway station : Euston/King's Cross St. Pancras Bus numbers : (Euston Station - Stop H) 18, 30, 73, 205, 390

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• News & Reviews
• Tours & Tickets

• May 16, 2022

Gangsta Granny: Birmingham Stage Company

Updated: May 29, 2023

Review: Gangsta Granny, Birmingham Stage Company, on tour throughout the UK until 31 July 2022. Book here .

[Disclosure: Our young reviewer received free tickets for the purposes of this review, as well as a free programme.]

Children’s theatre company, the Birmingham Stage Company, has brought back its stage production of David Walliams’ very successful novel, Gangsta Granny – which will be touring throughout the UK until 22 July.

Gangsta granny is the story of a little boy called ben who visits his lonely granny every friday night. ben hates his visits to granny because she is so boring and only cooks cabbage. one day in his granny’s house, in search of something to eat other than cabbage, he finds a stash of jewels. ben’s granny is an international jewel thief ben and his granny soon hatch a plot to steal the crown jewels from the tower of london..

I saw the show on a Wednesday night – so there was hardly anybody there. But as soon as the show started, the atmosphere became very jolly and it was quite nice to have a small audience.

The sets were very clever – changing completely with just a few turns or the pulling out of ingenious drawers. This was often done by other actors, in costume, who were not related to the bit of the story that had just happened. Occasionally, that felt a bit strange and disjointed.

The story has lots of eccentric and hilarious characters – Raj the shopkeeper (who appears in so many of Walliams’ books), played by Irfan Damani, made the audience laugh with his ridiculous offers on very out of date products.

The funniest moment was when Justin Davies, who plays Ben, danced a solo in the dance competition his parents forced him to enter into. His stiff uncoordinated dance was hilarious and had everyone laughing.

While there were many funny moments in the play, there are some more serious messages that came through including that you shouldn’t assume that people are boring just because they are old.

This show is an excellent adaptation, it recreates the atmosphere of the novel very well. So if you liked the novel, I think you will like the show.

Gangsta Granny is a lot of fun and young children in particular, will love it.

Young reviewer, Charlotte Trichard, has been going to the theatre regularly since she was a baby. Charlotte loves fencing and she plays the piano.

Safe guarding procedures were in place throughout the review process including a chaperone during the show.

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Gangsta Granny

Gangsta Granny is the unusual tale of a young boy who is forced to stay with his granny every Friday night. With nothing to do and the same cabbage-based meals to eat, it's a very unpleasant place to visit... until he finds out that granny has a very big secret! Go on a journey with Ben and his granny at the Garrick Theatre and watch how their Friday nights become more and more exciting, as they embark together on night-time adventures! Birmingham Stage Company bring this production to life, based on Neal Foster's adaptation of David Walliams' popular book. The show comes to the West End following a very successful UK tour, where it was nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People This is one show that is full of surprises and is perfect for all the family

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Gangsta Granny

Treat the whole family this summer with Gangsta Granny tickets as David Walliams’ hilarious character comes to the West End

David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book Gangsta Granny receives a West End transfer in a delightful page-to-stage adaptation by Horrible Histories’ Neal Foster. Premiering in 2015, the production by Birmingham Stage Company was recently nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. Now, Gangsta Granny embarks on a UK tour before sneaking into London’s Garrick Theatre for a limited summer run in 2017.

Gangsta Granny follows Ben, a young boy who is staying at his Granny’s on a typical Friday night. Prepared for a boring night in, Ben knows that he will be presented with the usual cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake – bleurgh! But what he doesn’t know is that his robbing relative harbours a secret bigger than he could image! Quickly, boring Friday nights in turn into adventurous nights out, as Ben and his Granny become gangstas!

Previously, the production starred Gilly Tompkins as Granny and Ashley Cousins as Ben, with further cast members including Louise Bailey as Mum/Queen, Ben Martin as Dad, Umar Malik as Raj, Alison Fitzjohn as Matrons and Richard James as Doctor, as well as ensemble members Liz Garland and Aaron Thiara. In 2013, Gangsta Granny was made into a BBC Christmas special, starring Joanna Lumley, David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Julia McKenzie.

Award-winning author, actor and comedian David Walliams has quickly become a children’s favourite, releasing books such as Mr Stink, Demon Dentist and The Boy in the Dress, which was adapted into a BBC programme. Adapted for the stage by Neal Foster, the show features design by Jackie Trousdale, lighting design by Jason Taylor and sound design by Nick Sagar, with original compositions by Jak Poore. Playing at the Garrick Theatre from August 1st, with previews beginning July 26th, Gangsta Granny runs for a limited time until September 3rd 2017.

Child Friendly

Suitable for those aged 5 and up, Gangsta Granny can be enjoyed by families of all ages!

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Gangsta Granny- play review

Following the abundance of his successful titles, and adapted from the critically acclaimed children's book of the same name, Gangsta Granny is the next of David Walliams' pieces to hit the stage. Having embarked upon its UK tour, the show is currently playing at the Bloomsbury Theatre, in London.

Ben (performed by Justin Davies) hates staying with his granny every Friday night. He is 11 years old, and finds everything she does extremely boring, especially Scrabble... and she is even obsessed with cabbage! When he suspects granny may be hiding a secret, his entire opinion changes, and he is eager to learn more about her potential exciting and deviant acts. Alongside this, his dance-mad parents are desperate for him to follow their dreams of being a professional, though Ben aspires to be a plumber.

The set for the show, designed by Jacqueline Trousdale, is ingenious. Spread across the large stage, what first appears to be nothing special, transforms seamlessly into the different scenes: from Ben's home to granny's house, to Raj's shop or perhaps the Tower of London. With slick, fluid transitions to piece it all together, it works brilliantly for this show. Also creating the concepts behind the huge array of costumes used, Jacqueline showcases a range of vibrant outfits, with my personal favourites being the cabbages and Quality Streets! The elephants were a beautiful and unexpected addition too.

Isabel Ford does a wonderfully hilarious job of becoming 'Granny', encapsulating the quirky personality to perfection. Jess Nesling and Jason Furnival take on the roles of 'Mum' and 'Dad' respectively, and act well as the dynamic dancing couple. Jess also becomes the iconic 'Queen' later on in the plot, whereas Jason doubles up to be 'Mr Parker', the creepy neighbour. 'Raj' and 'Flavio' are both played by Irfan Damani, who adds that extra layer of comedic effect, particularly with his persistence with selling his (awful!) promotions in his corner shop. Paul Duckworth, Jemma Geanaus, Iskandar Eaton and Mared Lewis complete this great cast.

Heavily playing on stereotypes, and subsequently being an accurate reflection of the book, the exaggerated and caricatured personas slightly take their toll. However, because it is made for children, this does make it simple to understand, and the storyline itself is neatly done. The first act itself was fantastic, while the second felt a little lacklustre to begin with. It is understood as to why more audience involvement was encouraged during the dance competition section, though it does appear to lose a bit of traction here when becoming panto-esque. Nearer the end of the show, there are elements that are intended to be thought provoking, and perhaps touching, which contrasts the lighthearted humour embedded throughout. It isn't particularly clear as to whether this works, as it isn't some big, glorious ending of happiness to a piece that may make more sense to be that way, but does provide closure in a more heart warming manner. Asking the audience to get up and dance to finish beings a more cheerful tone back into the room again.

Packed with fun and silliness, Gangsta Granny is a high quality production that can be entertaining, not only for children, but adults after something a bit different. So if Ben and his granny are zooming by you on that mobility scooter, it may be worth considering the surprise that this show brings.

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Gangsta Granny

"The world premiere of David Walliams' Gangsta Granny is coming to the stage in a national tour starting this winter and running throughout 2016. It is being staged by the Birmingham Stage Company, the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories.

It's Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing - staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure - it's going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn't know is that Granny has a secret - and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could possibly imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!"

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