Jon Brittain’s adaptation of the popular children’s book by author David Walliams of Billionaire Boy premiered on November 28th 2018 in the Nuffield Southampton Theatres City. The cast and production team pictured above had the pleasure of David Walliams company on November 28th when he came to watch them perform as they brought his book characters to the stage.
The story tells of a young boy, Joe Spud who is fed up with his lonely rich life. He just wants to fit in, go to a comprehensive school and to have a real friend. For once he would like to be accepted for who he is, not what he has. Money is not always the key to happiness as we discover as the musical unfolds. The actors Ryan Keenan as Joe on the left and Lem Knights as Bob on the right can be seen in the above photo bonding their friendship in a singing duet.
The cast is made up of extremely versatile and talented actors and actresses. Most of them have been cast in several roles throughout the musical. So don’t be surprised to see where they appear in the next scene. The actress Sophia Nomvete, pictured above has her main role as Bob’s Mum. She has an incredible singing voice and presence when she is on the stage.
The glitter and glamour of the costumes are everything you would expect to emphasize wealth on a colossal scale. There is a sofa made out of five-pound notes, a diamond ring you cannot lift and gold bars on the shelves used as decorations. The wig held by Len in the photo below shows one of his ridiculous purchases. The set has been brilliantly designed to exhibit Len Spuds inability to know how to spend sensibly and what to do with his vast wealth.
Raj in his shop with his typical humour make an appearance too. A regular character who appears in a lot of David Walliams books. It would not have been the same without him.
If your children are David Walliams fans then they will not be disappointed with this musical adaptation. Even if you do not have any children still go and enjoy a really good feel good performance. It has captured the morals of his book and brings them to a completely new forum. This production is planned to go on tour in 2019, please check online for further information.
Five stars.
© Photographs are courtesy of Luke MacGregor
Billionaire Boy is running from 28th November 2018 to 6th January 2019.
NST City,
142-144, Above Bar Street,
Southampton,
SO14 7DU.
Box Office: nstheatres.co.uk
Tel: 023 8067 1771.
Twitter @nstheatres
Facebook /nstheatres
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