HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN Set for Edfringe

The record-breaking West End show Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain is charging up to the Pleasance Courtyard for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. This special Edinburgh production introduces William Wallace and Burke and Hare into the horrible history of Britain and will run from 3rd – 26th August 2012.

Have you ever wondered why the Romans never won MasterChef? What would you do if a Viking moved in next door? Has William Wallace met his match? Would you lose your heart or head to Henry VIII? Will Parliament survive gunpowder Guy? Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and find out what a baby farmer did! We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So prepare yourselves as Horrible Histories takes you through British history with the nasty bits left in!

Birmingham Stage Company's Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain had its world premiere in 'Loathsome London' in February 2012 and has since become the longest running children's show in West End history.

This production will star Alison Fitzjohn and Neal Foster as Queenie and Rex. Neal is the founder of Birmingham Stage Company and has also co-written and directed the show. Neal's theatre roles include Dr Ratner in The Dice House at The Arts Theatre, Iago in Othello at The Bloomsbury Theatre and the title role in Skellig at the The New Victory Theatre, New York.

Alison has worked often for the Birmingham Stage Company, touring nationally in Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans and Awful Egyptians and internationally in George's Marvellous Medicine, Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians and Terrible Tudors. She has just performed with Bristol Old Vic in Good Clown, Bad Clown and has worked in three consecutive Christmas shows at the Princes Hall in Aldershot where she was awarded Best Villain by Encore Magazine.

Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain is written by Terry Deary, Neal Foster and Ciaran McConville. Terry Deary, the creator of Horrible Histories, is one of Britain's best-selling authors of the 21st Century and the tenth most-borrowed author in British libraries. There are around 50 Horrible Histories titles with total sales of 25 million in 40 countries. He is also the author of over 200 fiction and non-fiction books for young people.

The Birmingham Stage Company is one of the UK's leading producers of theatre for children, adults and families. It is the resident company of The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham where its shows are first created, then tour nationally and internationally. The BSC has been touring HORRIBLE HISTORIES for six years throughout the UK, Ireland, Dubai and Hong Kong. The company recently enjoyed its New York debut with its production of Skellig at The New Victory Theatre where the New York Times described it as "Flawlessly acted". The Birmingham Stage Company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Ciaran McConville is an associate director at Rose Theatre Kingston with many writing credits including Snowbound at Trafalgar Studios.

Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain is directed by Neal Foster, design by Jackie Trousdale, lighting by Jason Taylor, sound by Nick Sagar and music by Matthew Scott.

Birmingham Stage Company's Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain, Written by Terry Deary, Neal Foster and Ciaran McConville, Directed by Neal Foster plays at the Pleasance Courtyard from the 3rd August to Sunday 26th August (no performances 13th or 20th August) at 12noon (performance on 4th August is at 2pm). Tickets will be £11.50, £10.50, £8 from (0)131 226 0000 or www.edfringe.com. With a running time of 1 hour, the show is aimed at people who are 6 or older.

www.barmybritain.com

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