REVIEW: Gangsta Granny is sparkling gem for all of the family

So I had a tinge of doubt about exactly how one of his best, Gangsta Granny, would translate to the stage despite the TV version going down a storm.

But my doubts proved completely unfounded thanks to a fast-paced riot of fun and laugh-out-loud action at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal.

The show struck the right balance of comedy - much of it slapstick and punctuated by Granny’s flatulence — and enticing storytelling.

What’s more, it was all set against a backdrop of a morphing stage set that was minilamist and ingenious in equal measure.

The story centres around a young man who dislikes his gran and is pre-occupied by his ambition of becoming a plumber.

But once he discovers her past as an international jewel thief he goes about hatching a plan to stage her most ambitious hesit — stealing the Crown Jewels.

Put on by the Birmingham Stage Company, Ashley Cousins was outstanding as Ben and Gilly Tompkins was fantastic as the mobility-scooter riding Granny.

And they were supported by an equally on-point cast.

Even shop owner Raj (Umar Malik) did a touch of moonlighting during the interval selling ice-creams to the audience.

For more details of upcoming shows at the Theatre Royal, you can visit www.trch.co.uk.