David Walliams has sold over 45 million books in more than 55 languages. One can only imagine how many people around the world he has made laugh! And that’s even before you factor-in the theatrical and filmed versions of his stories, one of which I had the good fortune to enjoy last night. The currently touring stage adaptation of Billionaire Boy is being presented by the ever-brilliant Birmingham Stage Company, who are also the award-winning West End producers of Horrible Histories and another Walliams favourite, Gangsta Granny.

I was lucky enough to be accompanied to the show by my 12-year-old niece, Jorja, who has read all but one of Walliams’ books and absolutely loves them. Like Jorja, the Billionaire Boy of the title is a 12-year-old. Although Joe Spud is spoilt financially - he has his own racing car and £100,000 a week pocket money! - he is neglected emotionally and left to his own devices. He is bullied at his posh school because the privileged pupils know his dad got rich by inventing a fancy new toilet paper. As you might imagine, the show features plenty of toilet humour, all of which was enjoyed immensely by the young audience last night, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Joe wants to have friends. He persuades his dad to let him attend the local comprehensive, where nobody knows him. Life doesn’t get any easier, though. School dinners are a joy to behold - not! - as is the dinner lady who serves them! How appetising does baked potato with sock cheese or grated ear wax sound? Or macaroni and slime? Or, for meat eaters, how about badger & hedgehog pie? And hygiene ratings would be non-existent based on cutlery cleaning techniques!

Joe’s cover at the comprehensive is blown when his dad brings his forgotten homework to school in a helicopter (Jorja was amazed, and thought the flying helicopter was spectacular)! By the end of the show, Joe and his dad have found out that money can’t buy you happiness. As the family empire crumbles, it becomes clear that love and friendship are the only real currency of life.

Jorja and I were impressed with the set, especially how the one big set of Bum Fresh Tower transformed into many smaller sets - a classroom, a canteen, a corner shop, and even a splendidly grand interior of Bum Fresh Tower, complete with chandeliers.

The songs were funny and cheeky. The nine actors on stage played multiple roles, requiring quick and slick costume changes, all of which were carried out seamlessly. Well acted throughout, the show’s key ingredient of humour was present and correct in abundance. My own enjoyment of the show was greatly enhanced by seeing my niece and other children sitting near us having so much fun.

Billionaire Boy is playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre for the remainder of this current half-term holiday, until Sunday 5 June. It’s a great production for the whole family to enjoy. Jorja thought all her friends would love the show just as much as she did. When I asked her how many stars she would like to give it out of five, she wanted to award it 10!

Oh, and she would also like David Walliams to know that she fully intends to read Ice Monster, the only one of his books she hasn’t yet devoured. 

Five stars (or should that be 10?!)
Sue Hull and Jorja Hull

Billionaire Boy shows at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Sunday 5 June.