Globe columnist Peter Grant meets a Horrible Historian.

"YOU won't hear any fake news in this show,'' says Neal Foster about Horrible Histories which arrives at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton next month.

The Best of Barmy Britain is the latest production from the Birmingham Stage Company direct from the West End.

The latest two-hander crams in so many facts and frenetic fun in 70 minutes, but defintely no fiction.

The formula has worked for thousands of audiences across the globe.

Fans who comprise schoolchildren, adults, parents (and teachers) from creator Terry Deary's printed page to 12 years on stage and via the ever-popular, award-winning television series.

Neal said: "Happily we will never run out of material".

It is a fast-track journey through all the people in history we've all wanted to meet, sadly according to Neal and the HH Team 'all of them are dead'.

Added Neal: "In this show two actors play so many roles - they even do all their costume changes on stage.

"It's a real tour-de-force.

"We encounter Boudica, Henry VIII - who had the axe factor, Dick Turpin and Queen Victoria".

He points out, with a laugh: "It wouldn't be Horrible Histories without blood and guts, gags and songs, audience participation and plenty of wind and vomit references.

"The Great Plague is always a big hit when we illustrate the past centuries of this great Island's barminess.

"It's the history of Britain with all the nasty bits left in".

Neal, an accomplished writer and director, has also adapted David Walliams' smash hit shows Gangsta Granny and the forthcoming Awful Aunty productions.

He clearly knows what keeps an audience's attention and his BSC has been dubbed 'The Masters of Children's Theatre'.

He says while bringing history alive they do like to be topical.

"With people like Donald Trump around there is always plenty to tap into".

Neal's own inspiration for Horrible Histories came from the Monty Python team.

He revealed: "I saw Michael Palin on the Tube once, so I sat down and told him all about how much Python had influenced me and Horrible Histories.

"Michael smiled and then said 'how interesting ... when do I get my royalties?'"

Horrible Histories: The Best of Barmy Britain is at Floral Pavilion from April 4-8 (various times). 

Tickets are from the box office on 0151 666 0000.