Heartbreak Productions present the world premiere of Billionaire Boy, written by comedian David Walliams, which tells the story of Joe Spud, a boy so rich he has everything he wants… apart from a friend.
From the moment we enter the auditorium of the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, we are engaged by the cast who are wandering among the seats. This interaction helps to put some of the children at ease, and gives them a chance to meet the characters up close, before the play begins.
On a spartan set themed around Bumfresh toilet paper, the product responsible for generating the billions of pounds, the five actors portray at least a dozen characters from the book, with on stage costume changes transforming the actors before our very eyes.
Because he doesn’t fit in at St Cuthbert’s School for (posh) Boys, where they hold lectures on how to talk loudly in restaurants and have Range Rover tyre changing classes, Joe Spud (Benjamin Darlington) tries the local comprehensive school instead to see if he will feel at home there, but he ends up learning a whole new set of lessons.
This is not only a comedic story but one filled with morality and emotion. It may seem, at first glance, to be a little silly but deep down it is a lesson about how money is not always the answer. It’s also written in a way that does not patronise children, and is full of humour that appeals to all ages.
The other main characters include Joe’s father, Len Spud (Oliver Hume), Joe’s new school friend Bob (Darryl Hughes) plus the newsagent owner, Raj (Jas Steven Singh) and Len’s new girlfriend, the stereotypical WAG Sapphire Stone (Faye Lord).
Other characters include the Joe’s surprise new “girlfriend”, the school bullies, the dinner lady with a forte for some rather more “adventurous” lunchtime treats, and the teachers whose catchphrases make the children moan at their mere mention, and adults reminisce about their own school days.
Overall, this is a production that succeeds because of the text. With little in the way of scenery, low-budget props, very basic lighting, and limited costumes the only thing that engages the children is the narrative, which provides as many laughs as it does thought provoking moments.
*** Three Stars