When I was kid, I loved to imagine how incredible life would be if I could just stumble into unimaginable wealth. Wall to wall toys, a huge house, and a personal chauffeur were tops on my wish list. I think that’s a pretty universal kid fantasy, and so a story about a boy living with more money than he knows what to do with is a great hook for Billionaire Boy, a new production currently playing at the Sydney Opera House, based on the David Walliams book.
The show opens with a (literal) gold and glittering production number that suggests that being the “billionaire boy” is, indeed, every bit as amazing as every kid has imagined it would be. But the fantasy is shattered when the song ends and we see that Joe Spud is actually miserable because he may have stuff, but he doesn’t have a single friend, and his dad is distracted by a greedy new girlfriend. All he wants for his birthday is to attend a “regular” school where no one knows about his wealth.
Even when trying to go anonymous, money continues to complicate his life, with a school bully wreaking havoc. He has to learn how to solve problems without his riches, and how to be a friend in order to keep one.
The cast of five (Joe, plus a versatile ensemble) bring so much energy to the stage, and the pace never slows. I’d call it more of a “play with songs” than a full blown musical, but every musical number is grand scale.
The recommended age for Billionaire Boy is 6+, and I would carefully consider bringing a younger child (though, it did go over gang busters with my 5 year old) because the humour is primarily of the gross-out-toilet variety. Joe’s dad earned his billions by inventing a new type of toilet roll, and don’t think the play misses any opportunity to get another bum joke in. This may not be my favorite style, as the prudish adult that I am, but it sure does keep the kids entertained. Bum jokes don’t miss, and the humour never undermines the messages about friendship and how money is not important to happiness.
Now, I’m not interested into getting into “boy vs girl” art – like I said, my 5 year old girl thought this show was hysterical – but, I do sometimes notice that school age boys can be one of the harder demographics to get excited about live theatre. With its male lead character, bawdy jokes, and because it’s based on a book by an author who is much loved by many young boys, I’d suggest this play is a great choice for a primary boy who may be a bit of a reluctant theatre-goer. And, yes, girls will completely dig it, too.
For some school holidays shenanigans that deliver a positive message, Billionaire Boy reaches both funny bones and hearts.
Billionaire Boy runs through April 29 at the Sydney Opera House
Recommended age: 6+
Tickets: $29 plus booking fee
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We attended Billionaire Boy as guests of the Sydney Opera House. Opinions are entirely ours.