In the run up to Christmas, when parents are running around like headless turkeys trying to prepare for the holidays, while taking care of bored, sugar-filled kids, the thought of carting their sprongs off to the grandparents must prod persistently. But when Laura and Kate – played by Molly Coulson-Chard and Grace Coulson-Harris – arrive at Granddad’s, they realise he’s acquired an unusual new girlfriend. Little do they suspect the adventures in store for them when his girlfriend turns out to be the thieving witch Badjelly (Charlotte Bull) who steals Granddad’s (Joseph Morton) baubles in order to destroy all that is good in the world.
Combining Willy Wonka-style song-and-dance routines – performed by a 154-strong cast in rainbow coloured costumes – with some impressive acrobatics, Chickenshed has produced a play that’ll wow worn out mums and dads as well as keeping the little uns entertained.
Based on the stories of Spike Milligan – his daughter Jane plays the late Grandma – ‘Badjelly…’ brings together various Milligan-isms, including Sir Nobonk, whom Mark Lees plays as a jolly, Monty Python-esque knight, the giggling, bumbling King Twytt (Gavin May) and the land of Bumbly Boo. It all blends into an entirely original, chaotic, funny and mischievous tale.