Presented under the title Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid!, it will begin performances at the West End's Trafalgar Studios Nov. 21 for a limited run to Jan. 11, 2009.
It marks the first time that the tales of the adorably horrid Henry have been performed onstage. Along with his long-suffering parents, his smelly baby brother, Perfect Peter and the rest of the gang, Horrid Henry's war on grown-ups, rules and all things boring is re-created featuring original music, song and dance. Funny and fast moving, this family show tells the familiar stories that have captured the imagination of a nation of young people. Since 1993, when the first book was published, the series has sold over 12 million copies in the U.K. alone and has been published in 25 languages in 27 countries worldwide. The latest book in the series, "Horrid Henry Robs the Bank," went straight to number one in the children's bestseller's list when it was published in June 2008. Its predecessor – "Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman"- was voted Children's Book of the Year at the 2008 British Book Awards. Horrid Henry is also a top-rated and hugely successful CITV animated series, made by Novel Entertainment.
Adaptor Godber is writing a family show for the first time. He has been artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre Company since 1984. Amongst his many plays are Blood, Sweat and Tears; Teechers; Up 'n' Under (winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy), and Bouncers (7 Los Angeles Critics' Circle Awards). For television, he wrote and co-directed "The Ritz" and its sequel, "The Continental." He also wrote the screenplay for "My Kingdom for a Horse" and devised "Chalkface."
The production will be directed by Hannah Chissick, who became one of the country's youngest-ever artistic directors when she took over at Harrogate Theatre in 2003. The sets will be designed by Pip Leckenby, lighting design by Richard G. Jones and music is by Lester Barnes, who created the music for the TV series.
Michael Edwards and Carole Winter in association with Novel Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres produce the Watershed production. To book tickets contact the box office at 0870 060 6632 or visit www.horridhenryonstage.co.uk.
