Now starring in Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Part Four, Anthony Spargo spoke to Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon about bringing the beloved books to the stage…
Hi Anthony, thank you so much for talking to me. What can audiences expect from Barmy Britain -Part 4? Horrible Histories is back again! So expect singing, dancing, royalty, rats, poo, swords, severed heads, poo, lions, lobsters…oh and an extra dollop of poo for good measure.
What do you like the most about the stage adaptations of Horrible Histories? It’s the trip through history that we take the audience on a thar i love the most. Barmy Britain is particularly fun – what other show can boast Ruthless Romans, Vicious Vikings, Savage Saxons, Terrible Tudors, Slimy Stuart’s and Vile Victorians all in just over an hour?!
Have you read any of the Horrible History books? Have you any favourites? I particularly like the Terrible Tudors. If I had a time machine that’s the period I’d like to go back and see!
I remember myself reading several of the Horrible Histories and found them educational but fun – is this balance found in the stage show? Oh yes the same balance of fact and fun is there! There’s a scene where Queen Elizabeth goes to the dentist and it’s so silly – I have to keep reminding myself that all the ridiculous sketches are actually historically accurate!
What types of characters can audiences expect to meet in Barmy Britain-Part 4? It’s a real mix of characters. Everyone from Princes to paupers! There’s crazy King James the first who’s on a witch hunt. Mary Tudor and Mary Queen of Scots have a duet about who’s the more famous Mary! And there’s Victorian night soil men who clear up your poo!
If people are thinking about coming along to see the show – what would you say is the main reason that they should? If you’ve ever wondered if your next door neighbour or school teacher is actually a witch but you’ve never known how to identify one … then you should probably come along and find out!
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Part Four continues to play at the Apollo Theatre until the 1st September. To book tickets click here or visit: See Tickets, Encore Tickets, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, From the Box Office and Ticketmaster.co.uk.