What better place is there to learn about the Tudors than the gardens of King Henry VIII's world famous old stomping ground, Hampton Court Palace? And who better to give that lesson than the Horrible Histories team?
Ever since the CBBC series exploded onto our screens in 2009, Horrible Histories has transformed children's learning of history via jokes and sketches involving bodily functions and little-known facts. It's fair to say it has also done a lot for parents' understanding of history.
At Hampton Court Palace, the baton has been passed from the CBBC team to The Birmingham Stage Company and they do a grand job of telling the story of those Terrible Tudors - farts and all.
The talented foursome of Ashley Harvey, Tessa Vale, Neal Foster and Martin Atkinson (three of them on stage and one providing an endless glut of comedy sound effects) capture the humour - from slapstick to surrealism - and originality of the CBBC series with a whirlwind history of the Tudors, from Henry VII to Elizabeth.
As you may expect, much of the one hour show is dedicated to that most famous (and terrible) of Tudors, Henry VIII, but there is also great fun in hearing how Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded in an ungraceful, to say the least, manner.
The cast continue the Horrible Histories' spirit of not shying away from squeamish details, but the children in the audience were unfazed, instead squealing in delight at moments such as Henry VIII's 'bum wiper' explaining the 'ins and outs' of his daily routine.
For history and non-history buffs alike, it's fascinating stuff. Like an episode of QI, myths are dispelled and bizarre facts are gleaned, and it was a masterstroke to have brought the show to Hampton Court Palace.
With the backdrop none more Tudor, getting a history lesson like this is a unique and fun experience. Horrible Histories' Terrible Tudors is at Hampton Court Palace until June 2.
Go online for further details.
