STUDENTS at The Manor Preparatory School will be pricking up their bottles of beer next week when they take part in a cockney rhyming slang session.
The workshop, inspired by Birmingham Stage Company’s forthcoming production of David Walliams’ Awful Auntie, will introduce the Year 5 students to the story, characters and the language they use.
The stage adaptation of David Walliams’ much-loved children’s book comes to the New Theatre Oxford from October 11 – 14. It tells the story of Stella, who when she set off to visit London with her parents had no idea her life was in danger.
Waking up from a coma three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Aunt Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie. David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship features a very old car, a very large owl and a very small ghost.
Awful Auntie will mark the Birmingham Stage Company’s 25th anniversary. Starting life at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, the company’s productions now visit Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore. For twelve years they have produced all the Horrible Histories stage shows which now regularly feature in the West End. Their sixth anniversary at The Garrick this summer will feature More Best of Barmy Britain.
David Walliams said: “The Birmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny is truly brilliant, so I’m hugely excited that they’re now bringing Awful Auntie to the stage. It promises to be a thrilling show and a total hoot - Wagnar and I can’t wait to see it!”
Families around the country will not want to miss Awful Auntie, which promises to be awfully thrilling fun for everyone over 5.
The Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon, is looking forward to welcoming the workshop in to its happy, creative atmosphere. The caring and invigorating tone of the school ensures that children really do beam with happiness: they are delightfully self-confident and articulate. Laughter is an essential part of the school day, where children are both cherished and challenged. The Manor is becoming fully co-educational for boys and girls age 2-11. Visitwww.manorprep.org/co-ed to find out more.
David Walliams’ Awful Auntie runs at Oxford New Theatre from Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 October. Tickets can be purchased from the New Theatre box office on George Street, by calling 0844 871 3020 or by visiting www.atgtickets.com/oxford (phone and internet bookings subject to booking/transaction fee. Calls are charged at 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.).
School groups can save £10 per ticket (plus one free teacher ticket per 10 students) on Thursday performances and the Friday 10.30am. For bookings of 10 or more, or for Equal Access bookings, please call 0844 871 3040.