Horrid Henry comes to Manchester stage for Christmas in new play by John Godber

Dec 10 2009 Chester Chronicle

He’s been a hit in the West End and on tour, his TV show is a huge success and his books sell millions of copies.

Now everyone’s favourite bad boy, Horrid Henry, is back and he’s taking over the Dancehouse Theatre in Manchester this Christmas.

Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! marks the first time Henry, his long-suffering parents, his smelly-nappy-baby brother, Perfect Peter, and the rest of the gang have been seen on stage.

They appear in a great new play by acclaimed playwright John Godber, author of Teechers, Up’n’Under, Bouncers, On the Piste and many more.

Godber, who’s never before adapted another living author for the stage, says he had no choice about doing Horrid Henry.

“My younger daughter was looking at my emails over my shoulder and when she saw the one from Watershed Productions about Horrid Henry, she stated categorically that if I didn’t do it, she would leave home immediately!”

Creator Francesca Simon was delighted: “I’m absolutely thrilled about Horrid Henry coming to life on stage. I actually screamed with excitement when I found out that John Godber, whose plays I’ve always loved, was going to do the adaptation.”

Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! is funny, fast-moving, immediately recognisable to fans of the books and TV series but distinctively theatrical.

The show tells stories which will be familiar to millions of fans as well as featuring the first ever stage appearance of Henry’s favourite band, The Killer Boy Rats.

It has toured nationally, wowing audiences from Edinburgh to Truro and in London’s West End over Christmas 2008. And now it’s coming to Manchester, to the Dancehouse Theatre on Oxford Road this Christmas.

The stage show appeals mostly to children aged 6-11. Tickets cost from £11 to £16 and are available on 0843 208 0500 or from the website www.quaytickets.com.