Writer: David Walliams
Director: Scott Worsfold
Heartbreak Productions have three touring shows on at the moment, with Bad Dad being their most family friendly offering – David Walliams is now so prolific and beloved by the country that a title from his body of work is always likely to be popular. But an outdoor touring production definitely comes with its own share of issues, from audiences arriving early to the public space (we did) to the grey and stormy clouds that luckily seemed to pass over without harm.
A cast of just four actors dealt with these potential problems and more with ease, their set up was well oiled and they came out to chat to the audience right from the start, the fourth wall not being of any concern in this production. Indeed, the thrust staging enabled families to sit on their picnic blankets or with camping chairs along three sides and the action took place all over, at all sorts of different angles to involve everyone.
The story itself is pretty straightforward, it’s a tale of a father and son relationship – warm-hearted but gruff dad Gilbert (Rhys Jones) can’t shake the guilt that he is a bad dad, despite the unconditional love of his earnest and ever-positive son, Frank (Ed Gouveia). Through a series of flashbacks we find out why he feels like this, as those around him try to convince him that he really isn’t such a bad dad after all.
There are a handful of songs in the show, which runs at around two hours including a short interval, and they don’t add an awful lot to it. The backing track is a little twee, and the songs are mostly forgettable, but they are jolly enough and did have lots of audience participation which the children loved. In fact, more could have been made of the audience participation. At one point Frank comes out and ‘hides’ amongst the audience, eliciting shrieks of excitement from the children around, as well as a bemused grin from the 8 year old he chose to hide next to. More of this would work brilliantly, and the headset mics the cast were using would have allowed for them to get in amongst the crowd more.
This production is mad-cap and crazy, with characters popping up all over the place, great use of a variety of props and the cast completing many a quick costume change to swap characters and move the story along. They all did this with great energy and enthusiasm, mixed with a little sarcasm and a few sardonic smiles for good measure. A firm favourite was Auntie Flip (Ruth Mestel) who had the most fantastic facial expressions and a range of ridiculous accents, and there was a lovely touch at the end when Rev J (Laura Samson) and Auntie Flip confess that they do indeed really like each other and Rev J proposes to Auntie Flip in a very happy ending for everyone.
This performance also made use of a BSL interpreter, which was great to see.
Reviewed on 9th August 2023.
