Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – The Best Bits! comes back to the West End

 

 

From Thursday 30th July to Monday 31st August Birmingham Stage Company returns to London’s West End with the funniest, fearsome and most farcical facts from British history in Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – The Best Bits!, a non-stop romp through our nation’s remarkable past.

The show is directed by Neal Foster and features Emma Swan so, before they start rehearsals, Box Office Radio had a chat with them both about the production. First up, Neal…

What inspired you to create all of the Horrible Histories stage shows from the original Horrible Histories books?

One day my Education Director Ellen Mills asked if I had heard of the book series Horrible Histories and handed me a few copies to read. I could quickly see the potential for them to become fabulous stage shows, because the writer Terry Deary has concentrated on the gruesome, funny, disgusting and weird things human beings have been doing to each other over the centuries, which means they are most exciting, dramatic and jaw-dropping stories for the stage. Twenty-one years later we are still entertaining audiences around the world with these thrilling, hilarious and frankly unbelievable tales of human history.

How do you decide which historical moments make it into the “best bits” show?

Since 2012 we have produced a total of five Barmy Britain shows for the West End, which have told the history of Britain from the Stone Age right up to Queen Elizabeth II. A dozen of our sketches have become favourites for the actors and audiences, so we decided to put our most popular scenes together to create the very best of Barmy Britain. I think everyone agrees it’s the best show we’ve ever created, with songs, jokes, facts and lots of audience participation. My co-star Emma Swan and I had the most fantastic fun performing it last summer, so we’re thrilled to be back at the Apollo theatre this year.

How do you balance keeping the history accurate while still making it funny and entertaining for audiences?

It’s absolutely essential that everything we present in the show is as accurate as possible. The interesting thing is that history never stops evolving, so whereas it was once thought Queen Elizabeth I became bald and her teeth turned black, recent discoveries of letters from foreign ambassadors who saw her have revealed her hair simply turned grey, which is why she kept wearing enormous red wigs – and her teeth were yellow, doesn’t sound a lot better!

What can audiences expect to take away when they come to see Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – The Best Bits?

If you’d have fun smashing up the Romans with Queen Boudica, or you want to find out why tying a chicken’s bum to your neck could cure you of the plague, or if you’ve ever wondered what would have happened if Guy Fawkes had been successful, or think it would be cool to come face to face with Dick Turpin, or fancy a job collecting Victorian poo, then this is the show for you! It’s hilarious, historical fun for all the family!

Next we turned our attention to Emma Swan…

What’s the most fun or challenging part of performing Horrible Histories on stage?

We have a lot of costume changes and giant wigs in the show! It’s a bit like figuring out a dance routine – working out how to quickly swap between them onstage. I find it really fun to put on one character – and then quickly change into another, literally!…with a cloak and hat but also a different accent, attitude and time period. The Birmingham Stage Company costume and wig department are brilliant and I always feel lucky to be able to wear their incredible costumes!

Do you have a favourite character or sketch that you enjoy performing the most?

I love playing King John. The King John sketch is pacy and (no spoilers) uses a very fun puppet. This took a lot of practise to work out the tiny arms and legs (whoops, I said no spoilers) but I really enjoy this sketch!

How do you keep the energy so high throughout such a fast-paced show?

Snacks! You can never have too many snacks doing a Horrible Histories show. I recommend tea and custard creams between shows – and cake afterwards. In fact I recommend cake, always!

On a more serious less-cakey note, I think we keep the energy by working together as a team. It’s a bit like keeping a ball in the air. I’m glad it’s not a real ball, as I’m terrible at throwing and catching, but a ball of energy! Together we pass it between us and the audience. The energy from the audience is always brilliant!

What can audiences expect to take away when they come to see Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – The Best Bits?

They can expect songs, silly-stuff, audience interaction, tons of costume changes, fun facts and lots of laughs. We want the audience to have the best time ever – and I really hope you enjoy the show!

 

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – The Best Bits is playing at the Apollo Theatre, London from 30th July to 31st August 2026. Tickets start from £19.50, with Premium & Family tickets available, from barmybritain.com