David Walliams, the bestselling children’s author, has teamed up with the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company for a brand-new production of “Awful Auntie.” Absolutely sits down with the Brighton local to discuss the show’s origins and what audiences can expect.
The Story Behind “Awful Auntie”
When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, she has no idea her life is in danger! Waking up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta could tell her what had happened. But not everything Alberta says is true, and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie…
Inspiration for the Book
Walliams reveals an unexpected source of inspiration: “I am obsessed with the film The Shining. I wanted to create a horror story where a child was trapped in a house with a dangerous relative, cut off from the outside world.”
Creating Memorable Characters
On crafting the villain, Walliams says, “I had a lot of fun creating Aunt Alberta. Villains are always so much more fun than heroes. I wanted her to be funny as much as scary, which is something my literary hero Roald Dahl always did so brilliantly.”
Bringing “Awful Auntie” to Life on Stage
Collaboration with Birmingham Stage Company
Walliams praises his partnership with BSC: “I think I share a sense of humour with Neal Foster who runs BSC and has written all of the adaptations, so it has been very harmonious.”
Challenges and Expectations
Regarding the stage adaptation, Walliams notes, “I think capturing the tone of the book and still making it believable will be the biggest challenge. Also, trying to balance the humour with the frightening moments is never easy, but I have every faith in the BSC.”
Messages for the Audience
For Children
“Stella is a pretty self-reliant heroine, and so I hope children will be inspired to find the strength within themselves to deal with bad situations,” Walliams explains.
For Adults
With a touch of humor, Walliams advises, “The message for adults is don’t lock your niece in a country house, or you may end up being killed by a giant snow-owl.”
Walliams on Children’s Literature
What Makes a Good Children’s Book
“I think a good children’s book should be funny and exciting and have a message that makes you think about it long after you have finished reading it,” Walliams shares.
Admired Authors
Walliams praises several contemporaries, including Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Andy Stanton, Jeff Kinney, Julia Donaldson, Judith Kerr, and Michael Bond.
Personal Reflections
Favorite Novel
“Mr. Stink is my favourite. I think it has a strong message about how we treat people less fortunate than ourselves, and Sir Quentin Blake’s illustrations are absolutely magical.”
Future Aspirations
With a bit of humor, Walliams concludes, “I would like to meet and hopefully marry Rihanna.”
For full details of where “Awful Auntie” is touring, visit awfulauntielive.com.
