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Horrible histories - live show disappointment

84 replies

Mner2019 · 05/05/2019 17:16

Just back from seeing Horrible Histories’ live show. Whilst the show in and of itself was good fun, I was disappointed. Just two men on stage the whole time who did all the characters (men and women). One of their lines was that history is written by the winners and the irony was huge.

Yes history is indeed written by the winners - white middle class men. Why couldn’t our expensive ticket stretch to women being involved as well...?

The only women up there were two pulled from the audience to act as witches which just seemed to emphasise the ridiculous sexism even more to me - underpaid, there to help the men with the banter!

DS was disappointed with the lack of the rat. I missed the women. 50% of the population and barely deserving of a mention. Barmy Britain indeed!

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thewinkingprawn · 05/05/2019 20:52

We’ve been to loads - usually a mix of men and women. In the nicest way - you are looking for something that is not there with this theatre company.

Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 20:48

I’m sure the fabulous Alison Fitzjohn would disagree with you there (she’s not available at the moment though as she’s been touring with The Band).

LizzieSiddal · 05/05/2019 20:39

Maybe they just cast the two people who they felt had the best chemistry on stage regardless of sex.
What a pathetic excuse. And one which has been used for decades whenever women or indeed anyone other than a white, male tries to upset their dominance in almost every area of our society.
This show was about the history of Britain, not employing a woman in it is inexcusable.

Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 19:08

Shame if they have missed a trick in this show. Surely they could manage to recruit a woman in place of one of the men?

Why should they though.

Maybe they just cast the two people who they felt had the best chemistry on stage regardless of sex. Two handers require that.

Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 19:06

The creators of Horrible Histories the books and TV show are different to Birmingham Stage Co. The stage show will have been created under licence.

They are also touring Billionaire Boy.

woman19 · 05/05/2019 18:59

"To their detractors they are gruesomely violent and guilty of simple stereotyping. Their creator, Terry Deary, has been accused of being, among other things, anti-Scottish and anti-Catholic"

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/terry-deary-im-not-some-koko-the-clown-coming-over-to-perform-for-you-2299712.html

Horrible Histories have entertainment value, but...........

CinnabarRed · 05/05/2019 18:57

My three (aged 11, 8 and 7) loved both Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians.

Stiffasaboard · 05/05/2019 18:55

We saw them few years back and was two men and two women and they seemed very inclusive and didn’t stereotype
I felt exactly the opposite to you and I’m a miserable git who moans loads about stuff like this

Shame if they have missed a trick in this show. Surely they could manage to recruit a woman in place of one of the men?

SnapesGreasyHair · 05/05/2019 18:50

Taking mine to see Terrible Tudors.... really hope it good😱

Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 18:41

Dd was in George’s Marvellous Medicine. It was a fantastic example of good, children’s theatre.

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Mner2019 · 05/05/2019 18:40

I’m sure men would kick off if you put two women up there, called it a history of Britain etc

Given the general invisibility of women on tv, in theatre, comedy etc, it would be an interesting role reversal..

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harrietkatie · 05/05/2019 18:38

Ours had a young boy, a woman and an older guy.

TheCrowFromBelow · 05/05/2019 18:37

Sorry that was a bit of a x post and only works if you know Gladiator Blush

Justwanttotravel · 05/05/2019 18:36

Would you have been disappointed had the cast been two women?

TheCrowFromBelow · 05/05/2019 18:36

“Are you not entertained?”

harrietkatie · 05/05/2019 18:36

We took DS to see this last week, Awful Egyptians. The first half was so boring. Second half was okay but only as it had the 3D aspect of it. Wouldn't go and see their other shows.

I thought it would be more like their books and tv shows! But it was soooo boring!

TheCrowFromBelow · 05/05/2019 18:35

When we saw it, it was a man and woman.
It was really good - maybe they just have to go with whoever they can get on the day?

CinnabarRed · 05/05/2019 18:34

I’m also certain that the same company has another production on tour - Tom Gates Live On Stage - so it’s quite possible that all of their actors are in one or the other performance given how small it is.

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Mner2019 · 05/05/2019 18:33

Well I wasn’t entertained.

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astonvanilla · 05/05/2019 18:30

We saw it today too- to be fair the male historical characters were teased too so I didn't view it the same way as you. Have seen Awful Egyptians too which I preferred but I don't think that was down to the fact it had a female actress and this didn't!

Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 18:26

To be entertaining. It’s a very inclusive company. They don’t really seem to do quotas.

lovelylondonsky · 05/05/2019 18:25

As above, we saw awful egyptians earlier this year and the woman was in it loads.

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Mner2019 · 05/05/2019 18:25

What was the point of the show then if I’ve missed it...?

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Comefromaway · 05/05/2019 18:23

I think you’ve missed the Point of the show.

CinnabarRed · 05/05/2019 18:22

We saw it last year (Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians). Then there were two men and a woman, and the woman had more lines, songs and parts than the men. And the actress wasn’t young or particularly classically pretty, but absolutely dominated. I was pleased.