It’s the under-18s who will be excited to hear that two new Horrible Histories will be coming to The New Theatre next week. Despite the massive number of novels that Terry Deary has written, his name will mean very little to adults. However, it certainly generates excitement among the many youngsters who know and love his work.

He’s the writer who has brought history to life and turned the subject into something children can get involved in. His approach is not dull and dusty. Memorising important dates is not his scene. Instead of pushing children to remember 1066, he encourages them to question why the Battle of Hastings took place and consider whether a similar invasion could happen again.

Terry Deary has written more than 200 books for the UK market and 650 worldwide for children and teenagers, including 49 Horrible Histories which were launched in 1993.

The two spectacular shows coming from The Birmingham Stage Company are Terry’s Frightful First World War and Woeful Second World War.

The first includes amazing 3D scenes to thrill young audiences, including the sinking of the Lusitania. They will also experience trench rats, which thanks to the special 3D glasses that are supplied, appear to jump right into the auditorium. Tanks will appear to rumble into the stalls too.

This play tells the story of 13-year-old Angelica Taylor who gets sucked into the Horrible Histories’ website and time travels through the First World War. Members of the audience will experience the full terror of the trenches and join the soldiers as they go ‘over the top’. In fact, the youngsters will discover everything they need to know about that dreadful war that is not normally disclosed in history books or the classroom.

Woeful Second World War is about Alf and Sally who get evacuated from the damp shelters and nightly bombings of their home city and sent to Wales.

Although they have escaped the danger of nightly air raids, the children soon discover they are being sent to scary schools, fed on rotten rations and forced to endure new parents who are not always as kind to them as they should be.

During the second half of the show, 3D specs bring the bombing of Coventry to life again with terrifying reality.

As 2009 marks the 70th anniversary of Operation Pied Piper, which saw Britain evacuate two million children from cities where they were at the greatest risk of being bombed, this show has particular significance.

In fact, the Birmingham Theatre Company would love to hear from anyone who remembers those times.

They are extending special invitations to attend a performance of Woeful Second World War to any 1930s evacuee or host family of that time. Those answering this call will be able to meet the cast afterwards so they can tell them their stories.

You can contact the Birmingham Theatre Company by phoning Judith on 01608 661198.

Speaking about his approach to history Terry Deary said: “I am not a historian. I trained as a drama teacher, then joined Theatr Powys for three years. This small company travelled around the country staging small shows in community centres and village halls.”

Terry went on to explain that after a while he tended to write the scripts, as their productions addressed local problems for which no plays existed. His amazing writing career developed from there.

“My aim when writing the Horrible History stories is to help children understand why people behave the way they do. They don’t need facts and figures. Understanding humanity and therefore ultimately understanding yourself is the key,” he said.

Terry never visits schools. He believes that he can offer children far more by bringing history to life through his books and stage productions. He says that schools have no relevance in the 21st century.

Terry sees schools as a Victorian idea to get kids off the street. He said: “Kids should leave school at 11 and go to work with computers or something relevant. Everything I learned after 11 was a waste of time; they should have been teaching me life skills, not trigonometry and Boyle’s Law which has never been of any use to me.”

n There will be daytime and evening performances of The Horrible Histories staged at The New Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, July 4. Tickets can be booked by ringing 0844 847 1585.