Based on the best-selling books by Liz Pichon, TOM GATES is exciting and hilarious new adventure brings the writers fantastic characters to life. It is brought to you by the award-winning team behind Horrible Histories and Gangsta Granny and for the first time ever it’s LIVE ON STAGE!
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Tom’s doing everything possible to stay out of trouble but somehow he’s got THREE sad faces on the school achievement chart! And getting another sad face means Mr. Fullerman won’t let him go on the SCHOOL TRIP! Moany Marcus Meldrew (played by Ashley Cousins) is making things worse and now Tom’s annoyed his grumpy sister Delia. EVEN Amy Porter (who’s smart) won’t talk to him! Can his best friend Derek help? Will Rooster the dog stop eating his homework? Will his grandparents the Fossils ever make something he can actually EAT?
What attracted you to this play?
I had worked with Neal Foster and the Birmingham Stage Company previously, and I had met Liz a couple of years ago. The opportunity to bring to life the first Tom Gates story on stage was incredibly exciting.
Liz has such a unique style and it is fantastic to see that transposed onto the stage. The books lend themselves to this medium remarkably well. I have enjoyed, for the past four years, audiences made up of predominantly children, and have realised its a rare and wondrous experience.
How does your character compare your role in Gangsta Granny?
Marcus and Granny couldn’t be more different to Ben in Gangsta Granny. I’m having a ball playing both my roles in this. They are so different from one another, as an actor thats a gift. Marcus Meldrew is the slightly smug know-it-all who sits on the same table as Tom at school.
Whereas Granny, who is one half of ‘The Fossils’, is a true maverick Granny! She is bonkers. The Fossils are full of life and excitement, and I particularly hope that audiences will enjoy our first entrance. The joy as an actor in this profession is playing lots of different roles, and I’m very grateful to Birmingham Stage Company in recent years for giving me that.
What do you think an audience will love about this show?
This play is a visual feast. Naturally, a predominant feature in the books are Liz’s fantastic illustrations. That, of course, has to form a large part of the stage production, and acts as a foundation for the rest of the story. The use of projection and music I think will be hugely exciting for an audience.
The production values are exceptional, and the set design has its fair share of surprises, that I’m sure will generate some gasps from the audience. This is a production for existing fans of the books and for those who are experiencing the world of Tom Gates for the first time. I hope that all of the Tom Gates fans out there will love seeing the characters and the world they know so well come to life before their very eyes.
Other than your own character, what character do you enjoy in the play?
We all love Tom, he’s our hero! I also love Derek, I think he’s great fun. Oh, and I love Norman. And Amy. And….oh there are so many brilliant characters. I particularly love the Dogzombies scenes. They’re terrific fun!
Birmingham Stage Company production of Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates opens on 20 March with previews from 14 Feb, and tours until 30 Nov 2019 and is perfect for all the family whether you are a lover of the books or new to Tom and his friends! It will be touring the UK throughout the year!
