GRANDPA’S GREAT ESCAPE – THE CHRISTMAS ARENA SPECTACULAR – 23, 24 and 26 December 2019 – Arena Birmingham

GRANDPA’S GREAT ESCAPE – THE CHRISTMAS ARENA SPECTACULAR – 23, 24 and 26 December 2019 – Arena Birmingham

Find your nearest car park for the first ever stage adaptation of Grandpa’s Great Escape.

The exhilarating number one bestselling children’s book by actor and comedian David Walliams, is coming to Arena Birmingham this Christmas. The live version of the kids’ favourite, which has sold over two million copies around the world is coming to Birmingham on 23, 24 & 26 December!

Many years ago, Grandpa was a World War II flying ace. But when he is sent to old folk’s home Twilight Towers run by sinister Matron Swine.  It’s up to Grandpa and his grandson, Jack, to plot a daring escape. Little do they know; the wicked matron is onto them.

Actor and comedian Nigel Planer will star as Grandpa, best known for playing Neil in the much loved BBC2 cult comedy The Young Ones.  Nigel has worked extensively in TV, film and radio throughout his illustrious 40-year career. He is also certainly no stranger to the stage, with theatre credits including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hairspray, Chicago, Wicked and We Will Rock You.

Nigel Planer said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to play Grandpa in the live version of this amazing and cockle-warming story by David Walliams. It’s set to be such an amazing spectacular and I can’t wait to drive a tank and fly a life-size Spitfire over audiences around the country!”

Cast

Joining Nigel Planer is: John Marquez (Doc Martin) as Dad/Barry, Niky Wardley (The Catherine Tate Show) as Patricia and Tom Cawte (London Fields) as Grandson Jack. Siobhan Redmond (Taggart) will take on the roles of Miss Dandy/Reverend Fine, alongside Jasmyn Banks (Eastenders) as Shelley, Devarnie Lothian as Dazza and Alice Haig (Beautality) as Miss Verity. Richard James (Space Precinct) will take to the stage as Nurse Rose, Paul Putner (Little Britain) joins as Nurse Blossom, with Kammy Darweish (Ackley Bridge) as Raj and Dermot Canavan (Doctors) as Frank.

Completing the cast are Will Carey, Jason Denton, Stuart Hickey, Jake Samuels, Robert Saunders, Michelle Bishop, Hanna Brackstone-Brown, Lucyelle Cliffe, Rosie Ede and Jenefer Trapp.

Find your nearest car park.