Theatre News

David Walliams' Gangsta Granny to be adapted for the stage

The popular children’s book will premiere in Birmingham next year

Gangsta Granny, David Walliams' hit children's book, will be adapted for the stage by Birmingham Stage Company next year.

Gangsta Granny tells the story of 11 year-old Ben, who is bored of being babysat by his Gran every Friday night with only Scrabble for company. But when he accidentally discovers his Granny's crime-filled other life, he is catapulted into a different world, where Friday night with Granny becomes every 11 year-old's dream.

The story was previously adapted for television and aired on Boxing day last year with an all star cast including Julia McKenzie, Miranda Hart, Robbie Williams, Rob Brydon, Joanna Lumley and David Walliams himself.

The stage version will tour the country from Autumn 2015 and "throughout 2016". Birmingham Stage Company has previously adapted Horrible Histories, George's Marvellous Medicine and Tom's Midnight Garden.

Walliams, who won a WhatsOnStage Award earlier this year for his role in A Midsummer Night's Dream, said he is "over the moon" that Gangsta Granny will take the stage, and hopes it will "delight not just children but their parents and of course grandparents".