Darley Dale to host open air stage production of David Walliams children's classic Mr Stink

Open air theatre returns to the Derbyshire Dales next month with a bestselling bit of children’s literature reimagined for the stage.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Heartbreak Productions is bringing its take on the musical version of David Walliams’ Mr Stink to the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale on Sunday, June 27, starting at 4.30pm.

A spokesman for the company said: “Pack a picnic, grab a chair, and dress for the weather. Packed with fun, humour, and a heart-warming message, this touching tale provides the perfect family entertainment.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The story begins one perfectly normal afternoon in an average English town, as two restless souls unite on a park bench – one of them the lonely 12 year old Chloe Crumb, and the other an incredibly smelly homeless man – and his loyal dog, the Duchess.

Chloe is enduring the trauma of hormonal teenage years with an unsympathetic and controlling mother and unbearably spoiled younger sister, Annabelle.

Acting upon her curiosity and responding to her kindness, Chloe and Mr Stink forge an extraordinary and rewarding friendship that takes them to the heady heights of live television and Downing Street via a garden shed – but also pushes Chloe’s home life to breaking point and threatens to derail her mother’s political ambitions.

Heartbreak’s interactive adaptation invites the audience to join Annabelle’s birthday party as guests.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Reflecting on powerful themes of bullying and acceptance, this is a story about a young girl growing up, the fragility of family life and how emotional support can come from the most unlikely of sources.

Heartbreak Productions will be singing up a stink at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale next month.Heartbreak Productions will be singing up a stink at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale next month.
Heartbreak Productions will be singing up a stink at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale next month.

The story has become a modern classic since it was first published in 2009. As well as the stage musical, it has been adapted for television by the BBC.

With a running time of two hours, Mr Stink is suitable for children aged seven years and above.

Tickets cost £15 for adults, £10 for children, or £45 for a family of four. The performance will go ahead unless weather conditions become unsafe for the company, in which case refunds will be provided. For more information, go to whitworthcentre.org/shop.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together.” – Andrew Wakefield, editor.