Horrible Histories - Terrible Tudors / Awful Egyptians

Horrible Histories is back, bringing history to life in the most entertaining way possible, and Terrible Tudors at Milton Keynes Theatre is a triumphant mix of fun, facts, and catchy tunes that had the audience hooked from start to finish. With a fast-paced script, energetic performances, and plenty of humour, this is history as you’ve never seen it before—engaging, interactive, and absolutely hilarious.

The show takes audiences on a whirlwind tour of Tudor history, from the reign of Henry VII through to Elizabeth I, covering all the famous (and infamous) moments along the way. We meet Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives, witness Mary I’s fiery punishments, and see Edward VI’s brief and sickly reign. There’s even a thrilling reenactment of the Spanish Armada that quite literally sails into the audience! It’s a brilliant balance of education and entertainment, with a script that mixes real historical detail with the kind of outrageous fun that makes kids (and adults) eager to learn more.

One of the show’s highlights was how it handled the Tudors’ more gruesome history. Rather than making things too frightening, the production cleverly softened the horror with humour. Every time someone was beheaded, they would simply stand up, give a cheery wave to the audience, and walk off—turning a potentially terrifying moment into one that had everyone giggling instead. It meant that younger children could enjoy the show without fear, while still getting the sense of just how dramatic Tudor history really was.

The cast was absolutely superb, with each actor taking on multiple roles seamlessly. Whether portraying Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, or a hapless commoner caught up in the madness of the times, their energy never wavered. Their comedic timing was spot on, and they kept the audience engaged throughout. The rapid character changes were handled brilliantly, adding to the fast and frantic fun of the performance.

Music plays a big part in Terrible Tudors, with some extremely catchy songs that stuck with the audience long after the curtain came down. The entire theatre was singing along to "Divorced, Beheaded, Died", which became an instant favourite—so much so that my four-year-old is still singing it days later! The combination of music, movement, and humour made the history lessons feel effortless, proving just how effective this style of learning can be.

The second half of the show introduced the much-anticipated 3D effects, which were a real highlight. With beetles, skulls, and fireworks flying out into the audience, it was an immersive and thrilling experience—although it did provide one unexpected moment of drama in our row. The surprise of it all made my four-year-old son fall off his chair in shock, and he spent the rest of the show worried he might have nightmares! That being said, for most of the audience, the 3D added an extra layer of fun, making history feel even more alive.

While we only saw Terrible Tudors, the show is running in Milton Keynes alongside Awful Egyptians, with the two productions alternating performances. If Terrible Tudors is anything to go by, Awful Egyptians will be just as engaging and hilarious, making it well worth catching both if you can.

Overall, Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors is a fantastic piece of family theatre that delivers history with a hearty dose of humour. Whether you’re five or 105, you’re bound to learn something new—and have a brilliant time doing it. If you’ve got the chance to see it, don’t miss out!