Writers: Ben Ward and Claire Wetton
Music: Richie Webb
Director: Neal Foster
Since it first hit our screens in 2009, the TV version of Horrible Histories has been a firm favourite with children. It’s a breath of fresh air for parents too, as the show combines genuinely fascinating history with humour and education. The TV show is packed with witty, memorable songs written and adapted by Richie Webb, helping to bring the past vividly to life. What a treat it is to bring these songs to the stage and allow avid fans to hear them performed live with a band – and with Richie Webb himself.
William Shakespeare (Richard David-Caine) is tasked with creating the greatest show on earth, and with the help of history’s most chaotic figures including Henry VIII, Queen Victoria, Boudica, P. T. Barnum, Napoleon and Cleopatra – what could possibly go wrong? The concert is aimed at families and it absolutely delivers. Adults and children alike will leave armed with a few new facts they’ve learnt. There’s plenty of audience interaction and even a game show to keep the attention of all ages throughout. The use of a large screen and pre-recorded scenes adds another layer of depth and excitement to the narrative.
The cast is a fabulous mix of familiar faces from the TV show and a few additions from the theatre tour. They are all engaging, energetic and incredibly adaptable, each playing multiple parts with a number of sometimes questionable accents. Standout performances come from Richard David-Caine, who plays a wonderfully camp William Shakespeare with perfect comic timing and an impressive range of physical movement. Inel Tomlinson is captivating in the roles of Mansa Musa and Barnum; his vocal abilities are incredible and he really commands the stage with both his singing and comedy. Another shout-out goes to Alison Fitzjohn as Queen Victoria and in her other roles – she has a fantastic singing voice and the most brilliant facial expressions.
The performance as a whole feels like a real celebration of Horrible Histories. The theatre is packed with fans of all ages, likely plenty of multigenerational ones too. Richie Webb plays a starring role, and quite rightly so. He might be the butt of many jokes during the show, but for the children in the audience, seeing the man who wrote the songs playing the music and appearing on stage is hugely inspiring. He also makes a real effort to engage with the younger audience members, at one point he spent a good few minutes waving to children who were absolutely thrilled to get a wave back. It’s a lovely touch that creates a genuine connection and makes the audience feel like a real part of the concert.
Reviewed on 8th March 2026. Touring the UK.
The Review Hub Star Rating
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8
