Britain’s Top Comedy Writers Visit Solihull School

Two of Britain’s most popular comedy writers, known as the 2 Steves, delighted children from four Solihull Primary schools when they performed their literary game show at Grace Academy Solihull.

Children from Fordbridge, Audley, Marston Green and Elms Farm primary schools joined Grace Academy students to watch a fast-moving show full of fun, storytelling and interaction.

The authors, Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow, have written over 180 books together including many popular fiction series like Actions Dogs, Challenger, iHero, iHorror, Mad Myths, and the Dark Forest.

The duo have performed their live show at the Edinburgh Festival and to audiences around the world, and talking about their visit to Solihull, Steve Skidmore said:

“Reading should be as pleasurable as playing a PlayStation Game and we want to show kids that it doesn’t have to be boring. We visit schools because we want children to engage in, and be enthused about, reading.

“Children who read at home do six months to a year better in their achievement level than kids who don’t. We know we’ve done a good job when we do our show involving reading and interactive role play, and we end up with 300 children booing us when we have to stop.”

Shaylah Andrews, a member of the audience from Fordbridge Primary School said:

“They showed me reading can be fun. They were inspiring and amazing.”

The Solihull teachers from the four local primary schools also enjoyed the event and Rebecca Smith, a teacher at Marston Green said:

“Absolutely fantastic, so engaging. The 2 Steves have a natural rapport with children and bring reading to life in a comical way. Thank you so much for inviting us!”

The event was organised by Grace Academy Solihull, and Kate Harper, teacher at Grace Academy, added:

“Hearing one hundred children roar with laughter about a book is amazing. A lot of children don’t see reading like that and we want to develop a love of reading because it’s so important.”