Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks is a 2015 stage show by The Birmingham Stage Company. It is a double bill with Horrible Histories: Incredible Invaders. It has played in theatres such as at Theatre Royal, Brighton, The Mayflower, and Royal & Derngate. The show combined actors and 3D Bogglevision special effects.
Contents
Development
The show was written and directed by Neal Foster. Foster had a "hugely exciting time" bringing the Horrible Histories book to life. Horrible Histories book author Terry Deary guest starred as Zeus, using pre-recorded vocals that were played in various productions. A spokesperson from the show said that it was a solution to the age-old problem: ""We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!".
Plot
The show included storylines such as Paris and Troy, the defeat of the Persians, the establishment of democracy, an introduction to the Greek Gods, and the first Olympic Games.
Critical reception
York Press described the humour as "brilliantly irreverent and madcap", likening it to The Simpsons and Reeves & Mortimer. Northhampton Herald & Post thought the show was an "exciting way to introduce history to the young". Hampshire Chronicle deemed the show "Fast-paced, irreverent and very, very funny". Cambridge News said the Horrible Histories stage shows were "always excellent", and thought Groovy Greeks was a prime example. Blackpool Gazette said the show was "perfectly-pitched family fun". Chelmsford Weekly News said the " main themes [were] cleverly presented in the style of our favourite tv shows". South Wales Echo deemed it "exciting" and "unique". Western Mail praised the show for being highly educational and entertaining simultaneously.