Review: Horrible Histories the Concert, Live and Dead on Stage! | UK Tour, Glasgow

Horrible Histories: The Concert brings original actors and hit songs from the award-winning CBBC TV series 'Horrible Histories' to stages across the UK. The musical comedy concert featuring famous and fearsome figures from history is at Glasgow Theatre Royal from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026. Read my review below.

Horrible Histories - The Concert UK tour cast. Photo by Matt Crockett

Horrible Histories (Live and Dead)! the concert ★★★★☆

Review: 20 March 2026 | Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Popular CBBC show Horrible Histories has been on our television screens for over 17 years. They've also taken their unique brand of playful musical comedy history lessons to theatres with such shows as Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians. But for the first time Horrible Histories: The Concert brings together assorted characters and hit songs from across the various eras of the TV series into one special show.

Written by Ben Ward and Claire Wetton, based on the beloved books by Terry Deary, Horrible Histories: The Concert follows William Shakespeare (Richard David-Caine) as he puts on the greatest show on earth. Starring rich and powerful leaders from history such as King Charles II (Neal Foster), Queen Victoria (Alison Fitzjohn), Mansa Musa (Inel Tomlinson), King Henry VIII (Ethan Lawrence), Cleopatra (Verona Rose) and Queen Elizabeth I (Harrie Hayes) - Shakespeare has his hands full when a mix-up means that all of the monstrous monarchs think that they will be closing the show with the prestigious "big song".

Horrible Histories (live and dead) the concert is primarily aimed at children (age 5 and over) and on opening night at Glasgow Theatre Royal the auditorium was bouncing with kids who were encouraged to sing, dance, and generally have the time of their lives. The exceptional cast quickly and effortlessly put the audience at ease and laid out the ground rules: Simply join in and have fun! David-Caine's magnificent host / narrator Shakespeare quickly established a warm, cheery atmosphere and the result was a relaxed, attentive crowd of all ages.

The whole company effortlessly embody their larger-than-life characters, bringing a playful sass and energy to every scene - much to the delight of the thrilled audience. But the outstanding quality of talent on stage is clear with every number; the powerful vocals worthy of any West-End stage.

Horrible Histories - The Concert UK tour cast. Photo by Matt Crockett

A quality production

Horrible Histories: The Concert may be classed as 'children's comedy theatre', but the production values are top notch throughout. Think BBC rather than children’s TV. Jackie Trousdale's intricate costumes are stunning, Jason Taylor's lighting dazzling, and most impressive of all, every second of the show sounded fantastic. This is possibly the best sound mixing and quality I’ve ever experienced at the Glasgow Theatre Royal. I could hear every word of dialogue clearly and every syllable of the superb, catchy (and informative!) songs.

And with so many facts and jokes crammed into the two-hour-long concert, this is crucial. The brilliant live band includes composer Richie Webb, who also gets involved with the shenanigans during the show.

The score comprises of Horrible Histories most famous songs from the TV series including 'Divorced, Beheaded and Died', 'Dick Turpin', 'The Monarchs Song' and the impossibly catchy theme tune. My personal favourites were 'King Charles II' and 'Stupid Deaths' but there will be something for everyone. This is that rare musical production where every song lands, and every tune is a hit.

Theatre concert productions are notoriously difficult, but they do a great job here of spinning a narrative thread. It is of course simply a means to cram all of Horrible Histories biggest and best characters and songs into one single stage show, but it works. The story isn't overly taxing, and the show doesn't outstay its welcome. It's a perfectly judged one-hour Act I, twenty-minute interval and 40-minute Act II. Full of historical facts, horrible monarchs, bouncing tunes and plenty of fun. This is how you put on a family-friendly show that will delight all ages. ★★★★☆

Horrible Histories: The Concert tour plays at Glasgow Theatre Royal from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March 2026 and then continues on tour to Sunderland Empire and across the UK.

Horrible Histories Glasgow 2026 ticket deal

Horrible Histories: The Concert

Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Fri 20 - Sun 22 March 2026

⚠️ Ticket offer: 15% off all performances (except the 10:30 am school performance on Friday 20 March).

Click here to access the Glasgow Horrible Histories deal via ATG tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/horrible-histories-the-concert/theatre-royal-glasgow/

Find more Horrible Histories: The Concert tour dates and venues via ATG tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/horrible-histories-the-concert/

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More info about the Horrible Histories concert tour and cast here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/horrible-histories-the-concert-tour-news