‘I’m just enjoying the ride’ says Gangsta Granny star Gilly Tompkins

When they discovered asbestos in the roof of The Bloomsbury Theatre in London, Oxford was one of the only winners.

Thousands of pre-booked tickets had to be refunded and endless small children disappointed.

Because for six weeks The Bloomsbury was due to host Gangsta Granny, the new stage show of David Walliams’ famous book. Instead the New Theatre stepped into the breach, adding it to its 2016 line-up.

If you haven’t read the award winning book or seen it on TV, Gangsta Granny is about Ben and his weekly visits to his boring granny, while his parents go ballroom dancing. There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be so boring.

But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny.

Granny is played by the enormously enthusiastic Gilly Tompkins, who is delighted to have been headhunted for the role, and despite the 14-month tour schedule, raring to go.

“The response so far has been amazing. People love the book and David Walliams is so famous, that the show sells itself. We are all just hanging on to his coattails really, but rarely have I played a part that is so adored. When I come on stage lots of children shout out ‘hello granny’.”

Gilly also revels in her character. “I love her because she is no ordinary granny. My mother – who is 80 - said it was a shame I had to play someone with slippers and a perm, but it wouldn’t work if I was a trendy jean-wearing granny. And this is all about how appearances can be deceptive and never to judge a book by its cover.”

Only 52 herself, Gilly says that she can walk through the foyer at the end of the night and no one ever recognizes her, her make-up and costume being so deceptive. “It’s a real coup to be playing a part like this – the title role - and leaves you so buoyant after every show because the children have so much energy.”

What does David Walliams think of the production then? “He was so thrilled and said it was better than the book when he came to the launch,” she grins.

As for the tour itself, how will Gilly cope? “The cast is like one big, happy family. Ben is played by a young actor Ashley Cousins who has just done his A-Levels and a formidable talent, and we all just get on.

“So while it does take it out of you, now that all the rehearsals are over we can just get on with the show because it’s a winner.

Gangsta Granny is proper family entertainment and you know it works because the children are quiet when it’s dramatic and laugh when its funny.

“They have no cynicism and get a lot of fun out of it. I’d have done more children’s theatre if I’d known,” she laughs.

“But to be honest I’m just enjoying the ride and seeing where it leads.”

SEE IT
Gangsta Granny is at the New Theatre in George Street, Oxford, from January 12-16. 
Call the box office on 0844 871 3020 or see atgtickets.com/oxford