Review: Horrible Histories Live (and Dead)!: The Concert, Royal Festival Hall

The Horrible Histories books have been around since 1993, and the TV series since 2009. I know! I didn’t realise it was that long either. The franchise is still going strong though, as evidenced by the packed Royal Festival Hall full of a whole new generation of fans, and looking around, quite a few of the original fan base too. 

Our host and compere for the afternoon is none other than charismatic wordsmith William Shakespeare (Richard David-Caine) who introduces and attempts to control various monarchs, rulers and other characters from history.  They appear in no particular order and with not much else to connect them other than being featured in Horrible Histories. Obviously, that’s more than enough.  

This is a concert performance with a first-rate live band on stage and a plot consisting of deciding what the final big number is going to be and who is going to sing it. Before we get to that point there are plenty of other Horrible Histories songs to enjoy. Hats off to Richie Webb who wrote all of them. He is on stage as part of the band and also gets roped into assisting Will Shakespeare. The words are clearly ingenious, as is the fact they are linked to modern musical genres in the style of something familiar and appropriate. So, Dick Turpin (Neal Foster) is almost but not quite Adam Ant, and PT Barnum (Inel Tomlinson) almost but not quite The Greatest Showman. Very clever.  

An integral part of the show is the large screen showing video clips from ‘back stage’, singalong song lyrics, ‘true’ (or not) graphics, the Horrible Histories logo and other bits and pieces. Use of this screen is seamless, complementing the action on stage without being intrusive. It’s hard to imagine the production without it.  

This is a family-friendly show full of humour and ‘casual historical facts’. It is very self-aware, commenting on the questionable accents used and maintaining the general silliness whilst delivering little snippets of knowledge.  Although primarily aimed at children, the jokes appeal just as much to adults without entering into anything inappropriate. It is not at all patronising nor condescending in tone, adopting an inclusive approach that encourages everyone to participate. The cast keep up the pace and enthusiasm throughout, managing multiple seamless costume changes. Their warmth and energy ensures the young (and old) audience remained transfixed and entertained.  Any fidgeting or restlessness ceased as soon as the action started, apart from the odd toilet trip, which is inevitable I suppose.  

This is an all together thoroughly entertaining afternoon, which appeared to have been enjoyed by everyone present. Afterwards I noticed a few family groups looking up past episodes of the TV series and was even moved to dig out some history books myself when I got home. The Horrible ones, of course. 

Written by Ben Ward and Claire Wetton
Based on the original books by Terry Deary
Directed by Neal Foster
Produced by The Birmingham Stage Company
Music by Richie Webb
Designed by Jackie Trousdale
Choreography by Lucie Pankhurst
Lighting Design by Jason Taylor
Sound by Nick Sagar
Video Design by Will Duke
Production Manager, Adrian Littlejohns

Horrible Histories Live (and Dead)!: The Concert has completed its current run at the Royal Festival Hall and is set to tour across the UK.