The Bolds

Product Information

Some projects feel a tad cynical but The Bolds, based onJulian Clary’s popular series, isn’t a bad bet.

The Bolds by Julian Clary | Goodreads

Join Mr and Mrs Bold and their twins Betty and Bobby as they navigate work, school and friends whilst trying to hide their hairy tails and keep up their disguise living as humans in the quiet suburban town of Teddington.The children make a great friend of schoolmate Minnie (Charity Bedu-Addo) but things can’t go entirely smoothly or there wouldn’t be any drama. The ending leaves the way open for further adventures (one of which is already published), and I can see Clary becoming a huge name in children's publishing. The dialogue is fun and irreverent, and Julian pokes lots of fun at the ridiculousness of modern life as The Bolds adjust to Teddington society. There’s an exciting, action-packed climax, and a very satisfying twist at the end, so all in all this is a very neatly constructed story.

The Bolds - Penguin Books UK The Bolds - Penguin Books UK

Clary is also delightfully present in voiceovers before the show and in a scene at the safari park, where he gets more giggles by complaining about the Bolds’ blue Honda. Director Lee Lyford conjures up a likable family, led by the Del Boy-esque Mr Bold (David Ahmad) and a pleasingly non-mumsy Mrs Bold (Amanda Gordon). Letting Julian Clary loose in the world of children’s stories feels like a high-risk strategy – so alert are his antennae to potential innuendo, the comedian could make even a picnic in the sunshine sound somehow risqué.

Join Mr and Mrs Bold and their twins Betty and Bobby as they navigate work, school and friends whilst trying to keep up their disguise. And a big reveal in the final scenes concerning Mr McNumpty feels like a plot twist – and an extra 15 minutes of stage time – too far. The kids will go wild for this fun-packed furry production, bringing absolutely loads of laughs and super songs! I love this book, the combination of David Roberts expressive human dressed hyenas, and Julian Clary's very clever and usually laughing hyena family, is spot on!