Billionaire Boy show rolls up to car parks near you!
Live theatre as we know it might still sadly be some time away from returning but David Walliams is ready to get the whole family out and entertained. The actor and bestselling children’s author saw the original theatrical production of his novel Billionaire Boy cut short last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic so, with no end in sight to the restrictions on indoor live performances, he’s taking the fun outdoors.
Teaming up with the Birmingham Stage Company and Coalition Agency, Walliams is here to save the Easter break for children (and their families) across England by turning the hit stage show into a full-on car park party!
Launching last summer, the Car Park Party staged Horrible Histories’ Barmy Britain and followed it in the festive season with Horrible Christmas, playing to more than 40,000 people.
Now it’s the turn of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, his classic tale of the richest child in Britain and his quest to find the one thing money can’t buy ... a friend!
With its rich themes of the importance of family and friendship, it’s a story that couldn’t be more relevant in these times of lockdown and isolation.
Each show will be brought to life onstage in a completely COVID-safe environment, with families watching from their own cars.
The author was delighted to see his book adapted for the stage in 2019, but in the current climate, the new car park version has special significance for him.
He said: “It’s brilliant! It’s very imaginative.
“I think people are craving some entertainment, especially live entertainment, because although the TV has still been on, you haven’t been able to be part of an audience.
“So this is a great and safe way to enjoy a show.
“Hopefully this will really entertain families.”
Billionaire Boy tells the story of Joe Spud, the richest kid in the country who becomes friends with Bob who he meets when he attends a comprehensive school. It’s a theme of connection and friendship that David feels is even more important now that children’s lives have changed so radically.
He said: “I think it’s very important that they can keep in touch with their friends at the moment. Luckily, technology exists, though not everyone has access to it, but at least with phones and computers you can see people and speak to them.”
In the book, Joe’s dad made his billions from selling toilet paper, so David is in no doubt how he would have reacted to the scenes of people stockpiling huge amounts of the stuff last year. He said: “He would’ve been like ‘Well, it could’ve been worse’.”
Billionaire Boy visits these venues
April 12 - Newbury Racecourse, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
April 13 - Windsor Racecourse, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
April 14 - Cranford Park,
Poole, 2pm and 5pm
April 15 - Exeter Racecourse, 2pm and 5pm
April 16 - Bath and West Racecourse, Bath, 2pm and 5pm
April 17 - Bristol Airport, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
April 18 - Cheltenham Racecourse, 2pm and 5pm
April 23 - Knebworth House, Stevenage, 4.30pm and 7pm
April 24 - Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
April 25 - Birmingham NEC, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
April 30 - AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester, 4.30pm and 7pm
May 1 - Newark Showground, 2pm and 5pm
May 2 - Harewood House, 2pm and 5pm
May 3 - Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Tickets are available from www.carparkparty.com website.