The funny, factual and sharply observed ‘Horrible Histories’ books, and the excellent CBBC series they spawned, have inspired a generation of children with a passion for the past. The current spin-off stage tour features ‘Ruthless Romans’ and ‘Awful Egyptians’, selling out matinee after matinee.
In the former, the four-strong ensemble from the Birmingham Stage Company presents one story – the road-building invaders are about to flatten a farm belonging to 13-year-old Brit barbarian Ethel – but the show also breaks out into a comedy sketch format familiar to fans of the television series.
Ethel learns how to prepare putrified fish guts, a Roman delicacy, in 'Mankychef' ('Masterchef') and gets a Gok Wan-style makeover as a Roman babe.
Audience participation enables this lively romp to maintain its momentum and the second act's 3D effects draw screams of delight (my daughter leaned over and whispered 'Brilliant!').
As the arrows and severed heads fly, there's not a bored child in the house, especially the horrible little historians who bellow 'Yes!' when the centurion asks if he should throw the plucky Ethel off the cliffs.