After the longest, darkest and most depressing January in existence, we ended it…
After the longest, darkest and most depressing January in existence, we ended it on the highest of highs. We had the pleasure of experiencing (and it was an experience) Horrible Histories The Concert - Live (and Dead) on Stage. As we ascended into Bristol Beacon, we were undeniably outnumbered by many little children. It was heartwarming to see that the enthusiasm for Horrible Histories lives on. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that we were there first. Little did these children know, we’ve been fans since before they were born. Still, while it was humbling to be the only people not accompanied by a child, we managed to seamlessly blend in with our average height being an impressive 5 foot 1. And so we took our seats; the show was about to begin. And you best believe, we were sat.
In the words of Shakespeare himself: “all the world’s a stage”. Gracing the stage with his magnetic aura, Shakespeare was not only the host of this show but its teacher. The most interesting fact of all... We were in the presence of the writer/composer/genius creator of over 200 Horrible Histories songs. Yes, Richie Webb was right there on stage, playing an integral role (and his ukelele) throughout the show.
Typically, in the arts, the best is saved until last. However, that was not the case here. In fact, it could be said that the show peaked too early, with the iconic Charles II song kicking off the spectacle. Who needs to pay 400 quid for Harry Styles tickets when you could just go to Horrible Histories: The Concert and watch true pop royalty? Bath Time asks when will this become a club classic? Fame, play Charles II King of Bling, you cowards!!
Next up was the obligatory Tudor cameos. This was a family affair, with Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth I, each having their moment in the spotlight. While Elizabeth I stole the show with her angelic voice, you just can't beat the classic Divorced, Beheaded and Died. What followed was a game show. But this was no ordinary game show, it was a Stupid Deaths special: Chop or Not. The audience joined in to guess whether Henry VIII chopped the head off (or not) an array of historical figures. After over 18 years of education, we were surprised to get every answer wrong. This just proves that Horrible Histories can be an education for us all.
Admittedly, by this point, the show was starting to drag. While Gen X are often criticised for their short attention spans, it was in fact us who were struggling. However, when the Vikings graced the stage to sing their ballad Literally, we snapped right back up to attention. One of us (we cannot name for reputational purposes) even started to tear up. The sheer nostalgia of it all clearly just got too much. An emotional end to the first act for sure.
After a well-earned break, with parents scrambling for a drop of alcohol and us trying to process what we’d just experienced, it was time for act two to begin. Two words: Dick Turpin. Any true fan will understand the cultural impact of the Dick Turpin, Highwayman song; a song created especially for the girls and the gays. Witnessing it live really was a dream come true...
History often erases women's stories and so we were pleased to see a segment dedicated to strong historical female figures. Competing in a Britain’s Got Talent style spin off, Boudica and Cleopatra each performed their respective songs and showed us what they were made of. Weirdly, we never did find out the winner. Maybe the real winners were the crowd, who got to witness this phenomenal showdown #girlbossfeminism.
All in all, this day out was a much-needed escape from the relentless stress which final year brings. For two hours, we were transported back into our younger selves, embracing the infectious childlike wonder in the room. While the Labubu and Tinder jokes fell flat, the show was without a doubt a joyous and worthwhile experience. The show was brought to a close by the iconic Monarch song, transcending generational divides and bringing the audience together. One thing is clear; the legacy of Horrible Histories continues on.
By Alice Louth and Ela Yanik