Family favourite show The Gruffalo is returning to the West End this summer, playing the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.
The Gruffalo will run at the Lyric Theatre London from 17 July to 8 September 2024.
The show is celebrating 25 years since Julia Donaldson’s book The Gruffalo was first published.
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood as Tall Stories Theatre Company bring their magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
The cast includes David Scotland as The Gruffalo, Elouise Warboys as Mouse, Kemi Clake as Fox, Owl & Snake and Cameron Baker-Stewart as the Understudy.
Tall Stories’s celebrated production of The Gruffalo has been performed in 16 countries and 5 continents – including ten West End seasons, twice at Sydney Opera House, twice on Broadway, and once at the National Theatre.
The creative and production team includes Toby Mitchell – Director; Isla Shaw – Designer; James Whiteside – Lighting Designer; Jollygoodtunes (Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw) – Composers; and Company Stage Manager (West End) – Tallulah Harris.
Tall Stories Theatre Company recently announced a new residency with West End owner Nimax Theatres, bringing two shows into the West End each year. Following The Gruffalo, their Olivier Award-nominated adaptation of Room on the Broom will come to London again this Christmas 2024.
Kids shows returning to the West End in 2025 will include The Smeds and The Smoos in summer 2025, followed by The Gruffalo’s Child in winter 2025.
Toby Mitchell, Tall Stories Artistic Director and Co-founder said: “I first read The Gruffalo when it was published in 1999, whilst working as an editor for Macmillan Children’s Books, and I instantly fell in love with it. The story, the text and the illustrations are fantastic – in both senses of the word. Tall Stories were quick to ask Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler if we could adapt it for the stage, and we were thrilled when they said yes. We were even more thrilled when the book started to win awards – as it turned out that other people loved The Gruffalo as much as we did. Fast forward and now the book is celebrating 25 years, and our stage adaptation is following closely behind, clocking up 23 years of successful touring since 2001.”
Julia Donaldson CBE said: “Tall Stories Theatre Company’s production of The Gruffalo has been successfully running nearly as long as the book has been in the world and many thousands of children have now enjoyed the story in this different way. Live productions are such an important experience as they allow children to engage with the characters who leap off the page in front of their very eyes, igniting their imaginations and creating lasting memories.”
Axel Scheffler said: “It is wonderful to have Tall Stories’ stage play of The Gruffalo touring during this special 25th anniversary year. The book absolutely comes to life on the stage. It is the perfect introduction to the experience of live theatre, and I hope it can be the start of a lifelong relationship with the arts.”
The Gruffalo is playing at the Lyric Theatre London from 17 July to 8 September 2024.
Book tickets to The Gruffalo at the Lyric Theatre in London
Lyric Theatre, London
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