Horrid Henry Finishes One Week Early at Trafalgar

Children’s show Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid has posted early closing notices at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios 1 (See News, 28 Oct 2008). Following a successful regional tour, it opened on 21 November 2008 and had been booking until 11 January 2009. It will now finish a week early, on 4 January, at the same time as the scheduled conclusion of Maria Friedman: Rearranged, with which it shares the space.

Based on the popular children’s books written by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross, and adapted for the stage by John Godber, Horrid Henry will open in Trafalgar Studios 1 for a limited festive season from 21 November 2008 to 11 January 2009.

Since the first was published in 1993, there have been some 17 Horrid Henry books, which have been translated into 25 languages. Francesca Simon received of the Children’s Book of the Year Award at the 2008 Galaxy British Book Awards for Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman and published the latest instalment, Horrid Henry Robs the Bank in June. The series has also spawned a collection of audiobooks and an animated TV series care of Novel Entertainment.

John Godber’s stage version brings the mischievous boy to life along with Mum, Dad, Perfect Peter, Moody Margaret, Rude Ralph and other favourite characters. Horrid Henry opened in Sheffield at the end of August before embarking on a three-month tour. It’s expected to launch another regional tour next spring.

Horrid Henry runs in Trafalgar Studios 1 concurrently with
Maria Friedman: Rearranged, with evening performances at 6pm and 8.30pm respectively, as well as Saturday and Sunday performances. Following a sell-out earlier this year at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Friedman’s solo concert show transferred to Trafalgar Studios for 25 performances only from 27 November 2008 to 4 January 2009 (See News, 29 Oct 2008).

The next production at Trafalgar Studios 1 is the revival of Joe Orton’s 1964 black comedy Entertaining Mr Sloane, which runs from 30 January to 11 April 2009 (previews from 22 January) and stars Imelda Staunton and Gavin and Stacey Mathew Horne (See News, 31 Oct 2008).

– by Terri Paddock