Stalybridge Teen to Make Stage Debut in GANGSTA GRANNY at Manchester Opera House

A teenage dancer from Stalybridge in Manchester will get her big break next week when she takes to the Manchester Opera House stage to appear in the stage version of the smash-hit David Walliams' children's book, Gangsta Granny.

Seventeen-year-old Keavy Smith from Carrbrook has been hand-picked for the role, which includes dancing a solo routine. This is her first professional dance performance.

David Walliams' Gangsta Granny comes to the Opera House, Manchester, from Wednesday 7 June to Sunday 11 June 2017.

The book has been brought to life by acclaimed producers Birmingham Stage Company, who have a proven track record with their productions of Horrible Histories, George's Marvellous Medicine and Tom's Midnight Garden.

Keavy began dancing aged just three. She is currently studying dance at Manchester College and also attends Kirsten's Dance Academy, Torque Youth Dance Company and Next Generation Youth Theatre, all in Tameside.

The former Mossley Hollins High School pupil has taken part in many dance events with performances including Alton Towers theme park and Wembley Stadium; she has competing in dance competitions across the North West with Kirsten's Dance Academy; and in June she will perform at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End with Torque Youth Dance Company as part of Bobby Dazzlers.

Although Keavy has already taken part in numerous amateur dramatic productions including Starlight Express, Legally Blonde, Grease and Evita - her dream is to further develop her dancing at stage school. And Gangsta Granny will play a big part in her future achievements by being her first professional performance.

Keavy commented: "I am so excited to be a part of Gangsta Granny in Manchester. To have this opportunity is a blessing and I feel so lucky. You can achieve anything that you put your mind to and, with a lot of hard work and determination, something as big as this can come your way - and I hope I can inspire other young dancers. My younger sister is a massive fan of the Gangsta Granny book so she can't wait to see the show."

David Walliams is one of the judges on the popular Britain's Got Talent TV show, and creator of the ground-breaking comedy series Little Britain and Big School. He is now also the country's best-selling children's author.

David began his publishing career at Harper Collins in early 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress. Then, after writing two other popular stories, in 2011 he published Gangsta Granny, which was shortlisted for both The Red House Children's Book Award and for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

At Christmas 2013 a TV version of Gangsta Granny was shown on BBC One with an all-star cast including David Walliams himself. Gangsta Granny went straight to Number 1 in the children's book charts and his books have been translated into no fewer than 30 languages.

It's Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing - staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake, and Ben knows one thing for sure, it's going to be so boring! But what Ben doesn't know is that Granny has a secret - and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

"All you can do in this life is follow your dreams. Otherwise you're just wasting your time," explains Gangsta Granny.

Gangsta Granny is a must for all families as the show will be enjoyed by everyone aged from five to 105! It's both laugh out loud funny with some brilliant comic scenes but also has some very moving and truthful things to say about family relationships.

Book now at www.atgtickets.com/Manchester or by calling the box office on 0844 871 3018.

IF YOU GO:

Gangsta Granny

Opera House, Manchester, 3 Quay Street, Manchester M3 3HP

Wednesday 7 June - Sunday 11 June 2017
Performances: Wednesday and Friday 10am and 7pm / Thursday 10am and 2pm / Saturday 10.30am and 2.30pm / Sunday 11am

Tickets: From £19
Box Office: 0844 871 3018* www.atgtickets.com/manchester *
*Booking/transaction fee applies

To post a comment, you must register and login.