A SPECIAL Magna Carta scene focusing on the notorious King John will form part of the new Horrible Histories Barmy Britain show, which will get its world premier at Trowbridge Civic Centre in July.

There will be four performances of the show, which is part three of Barmy Britain, at the civic centre on July 18 and 19, with additional shows for local schools taking place on the three days beforehand.

It is being put on by The Birmingham Stage Company, which was founded by actor and manager Neal Foster in 1992, with Barmy Britain parts one and two a major sell-out success on the West End.

The new show will include special scene to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, with Trowbridge’s Henry de Bohun one of 25 barons elected to ensure King John honoured the charter.

Mr Foster said: “It is the world premier of Barmy Britain part three and it will be first time we have opened a Horrible Histories show somewhere other than the West End, which is the way most theatre companies do it.

“We were asked by Trowbridge about having the new Horrible Histories show and with the town playing such a prominent role in the Magna Carta, it seemed an ideal place to come.

“I was already thinking about doing a Magna Carta scene, so we have part of the show with King John. The scene came quite quickly to me and shows King John being a naughty little boy.

“I contacted Professor David Carpenter, who has recently released a book on the Magna Carta, and asked him to have a look at the scene. He got back to me and said he really enjoyed it, but gave me some comments which were really helpful.”

The show was secured by Trowbridge Town Council's Leisure Services Manager Hayley Bell, who organised the tour's visit to the town and sold out the show to local primary schools.

The new instalment, which will open in the West End after the premier in Trowbridge, will make Horrible Histories the longest running children's show in West End history.

As well as King John, the show will include other important historical figures in British history, such as Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, plus a scene on the Great Fire of London.

Mr Foster, who will perform the two-man show along with Anthony Spargo, added: “I always think of it as Monty Python meeting genuine history. This is the 10th year we have been doing Horrible Histories and we always have a lot of fun with it.

“You want people to know about the history, but you also want to make them laugh, which is always very challenging. It is rewarding, though, and it is an ideal show for adults and children.”

Tickets for the Horrible Histories show cost £15 each and are available at www.trowbridgecivic.co.uk