Blending adventure, laughs and scare factor, the Demon Dentist live on stage has plenty of bite.
My 10 year old can be a little bit of a reluctant reader but not when it comes to David Walliams and his unique books and style. We were really excited to be invited along to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to experience the first night of the Demon Dentist. Following hit stage adaptations for David Walliam’s best selling novels Gangsta Granny and Billionaire’s Boy, the Demon Dentist is the latest book to be brought to life on stage.
If you haven’t read the book yet don’t worry as this theatre production holds it own as a standalone piece. Faithfully following the popular David Walliam’s story but without you needing any prior knowledge.
The Demon Dentist follows friends, Alfie and Gabz as they discover that strange things are happening since the new dentist arrived in town. Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillows!
Alfie and Gabz are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery – but no-one could have dreamed what they’ll discover when they come face to face with the demon dentist herself.
When you’ve read a book and you have a picture of the characters in your head, it’s often strange to see them in film or in a play but the actors were brilliant at stepping off the page and onto the stage.
These are children’s books and very much tailored to kids which is why they have such appeal. Lots of laughs that grown ups could join in with too and a good dose of toilet humour and flatulence sound effects. There was a little girl sat behind me so who had the most infectious belly laugh and half the time I was laughing as much by her as by the comedy on stage. The most funny by far is Raj and if you’re an avid fan of David Walliams’ books you’ll know this character appears in other stories too.
Raj makes his appearance after the interval and he’s just amazing. Perfectly capturing the penny pinching but very warm shop keeper, he really is quite hilarious.
In contrast to the funny antics, there’s a darker and scarier element to the show. My son is 10 and he found some of it a little frightening but not too much, you’d need to make a judgement call for younger kids on whether you thought it would be ok. There were plenty of younger audience members who were having a great time. So, what makes it scary ….. well the Demon Dentist of course. She’s wonderfully wicked and calling herself ‘mummy’ just seems to make her all the more demented.
Lighting, effects and sound are used really well to give the frightening bits plenty of edge, my son and I jumped in our seats a number of times. The set works really well do to keep up with the fast pace of the story and we loved when Winnie arrived on a real moped.
It’s heart warming and a little sad too, the bond been Alfie and his dad was done well and draws you in. David Walliam’s has a great way of pulling in the more serious elements and softening with humour.
The Demon Dentist isn’t a full musical but does have songs peppered through the show. The finale was great building to a perfect crescendo but while the other songs didn’t detract from the show, I’m not sure they were really needed either.
We really enjoyed our night out and great to have theatre for that inbetweeny age with kids!
The Demon Dentist will be live on stage at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Saturday 28th January 2023 and then continues on it’s tour and will be reaching the New Victoria Theatre in Woking during Feb half term and Milton Keynes Theatre later in March.
