Some stories from the past are funny. Some are sad. And some are just plain revolting. Strangely enough, it’s those disgusting ones that we often can’t stop thinking about. If you’re someone who enjoys live theatre and appreciates the odd side of history, then this season’s shows might be right up your alley. They’re loud, messy, and unexpectedly packed with facts.
Theatre across the UK is leaning into the sillier, slimier side of learning. With productions like Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain and Horrible Histories: Live on Stage, these shows bring history to life in the gloopy, gruesome way kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) tend to remember best. There’s nothing like a good fart joke followed by a beheading reenactment to keep the learning going.
Theatre That Dares to Get Gruesome
Not all theatre is polished and elegant. Some performances proudly dive headfirst into the grit and grime of the past. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain is one of those shows, filled with real stories from British history told with loads of slapstick and just the right amount of gross-out gags.
You’ll find scenes of old kings losing their heads (literally), plagues with all the stomach-turning detail, and punishments that make modern rules feel pretty tame. Somehow, these quirky touches make the facts stick a bit better. The writers manage to sprinkle in serious moments too, so there’s a nice balance behind the mess.
Why do we keep coming back to that weird mix of history and humour? Because it works. When someone cannonballs through time and lands in a joke about Henry VIII’s bedtime habits, kids not only laugh, they remember. It’s storytelling that respects the intelligence of its audience while reminding them it’s okay to laugh at ancient weirdness.
Grimy Greatness: Theatres Hosting Filthy Fun
Let’s talk venues. It takes something special to make gruesome fun for the whole family work onstage, and certain theatres do this masterfully. These include the Theatre Royal Glasgow, Bristol Beacon, and Theatre Royal Nottingham. Each space brings something different to the table.
Theatre Royal Glasgow has hosted some of the most engaging family-friendly productions. It helps turn strange and sticky stories into surprisingly stylish events. Bristol Beacon, another stop for Horrible Histories, combines rich theatre history with performances that never take themselves too seriously. Theatre Royal Nottingham knows how to spotlight shows that love a bit of weirdness and wit.
We love how these theatres don’t shy away from playful sets, wide open stages for wild performances, and the occasional gross prop that delights the younger crowd. It’s clear that history doesn’t stay dry or dusty inside these walls. Instead, you get motion, music, and mayhem, all in the name of learning.
Facts, Farts and Headless Kings: Why the Gross Bits Stick
There’s a reason why the disgusting details always seem to hang around in our memory, even years after hearing them once. Ask a room full of children about a history lesson they actually remember, and chances are it involved someone losing a limb or at least being covered in something nasty.
1. Humour helps information last longer
2. Silly visuals make the boring bits easier to follow
3. Everyone loves a shared laugh, whether it’s over a plague song or a poo joke
It’s not just about making kids laugh. It’s about helping them learn by hitting all the senses. Shows like Horrible Histories lean into this on purpose, with catchy songs, surprising facts, and scenes that have everyone covering their eyes, then peeking through their fingers.
Some things you might hear from the stage:
• The gut-dropping speed of a guillotine
• The weird foods people actually ate in ancient times
• How one king used animal parts in place of a crown
These aren’t invented tales, they come from real accounts of the past. It might be hard to believe, but that’s exactly why it works.
Touring Tales and Where to Catch Them
Horrible Histories isn’t bound to just one big city. This show is on the move, popping up at major theatres across the UK and causing all kinds of funny fits along the way. Some of the must-see venues on the tour include Wales Millennium Centre, Bradford Theatres, and, of course, Nottingham Theatre Royal.
Anyone catching the performance at Nottingham Theatre Royal gets an extra treat. The theatre is well known for embracing bold, family-friendly productions, and this one fits the bill perfectly. With sound effects you can feel, props that steal the spotlight, and actors who throw themselves (and sometimes slime) right into their roles, it delivers everything you’d expect from a show tied to the word “horrible.”
Bristol Beacon is another exciting stop. As a space that handles big productions with loads of energy, it’s ideal for a show like this. Whether it’s slime buckets or fake blood sprays, that stage sees a fair bit of action. It’s all done in good fun and makes for an incredible night out, especially for families with curious kids.
Lastly, don’t forget about Darlington Hippodrome. Known for welcoming smart, funny, and packed performances, it’s no surprise Horrible Histories: Live on Stage stops there too. It makes history jump to life, from sword fights to singalong songs, all with the show’s signature mix of giggles and goo.
Other venues on the tour include:
• Sunderland Empire
• Brighton Dome
• York Barbican
• Festival Theatre Edinburgh
These stops are proof that no matter where you are, there’s a place nearby where history comes alive, and probably makes a mess while doing it.
Messy Moments, Lasting Memories
For any family looking for an action-packed day out, shows like Horrible Histories give a memorable mix of laughter and learning in one messy package. Not only are they brilliant for school-age children, but they also bring adults right back to the sillier side of their own classroom days. Artspod makes it simple to explore family shows found at theatres in Nottingam, Bristol, and beyond, plus you can check the full range of current productions right from the website.
There’s something about slime, songs, and silly stories that makes learning really stick and that’s why we love how shows like Horrible Histories bring gross-out fun to places like Norwich Theatre Royal. Families who enjoy all the action, music, and messy moments won’t want to miss what’s on as the tour continues across other top theatres in the country. From sword fights in Darlington to eruptions of laughter (and goo) in Bristol, every stop adds its own twist to the fun. See what’s coming up at Nottingham theatre to plan your next outrageous outing. If you need help finding the right performance, just ask our team at Artspod.
