‘The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep, dark wood…’
Adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning picture book, Tall Stories’ much loved ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ has been busy preparing for her next adventure in the West End with an all-new cast.
Produced by multi Olivier Award-nominated Tall Stories and directed by Tall Stories’ co-founder Olivia Jacobs.
Like all parents, the Gruffalo tries to protect his daughter, to keep her safe from harm, but one wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. Her sense of adventure leads her to encounter a fox, a snake and an owl, but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?
The Gruffalo’s Child’ transports the whole family, age 3 and up, into a snow-filled world of courage and adventure, where wit triumphs over strength. The show captures all the charm, rhyming couplets and playful humour of the picture book as well as providing original music and a lot of laughs.
Toby Mitchell, Artistic Director and Co-founder of Tall Stories, said: “The Gruffalo’s Child is a special tale for Tall Stories because we have the opportunity to explore a young person’s perspective on stage. Audiences will feel the same emotions as the Gruffalo’s Child, as she ventures into the Deep Dark Wood for the first time. I’m delighted that the show is on an extensive tour around the country, as we work to reach as many young people as we can with our storytelling theatre. For one hour, families can leave screens behind, come together and enter the special imaginative world which Julia and Axel have created – and which we bring to life on stage.”
Playing the Gruffalo and Predators is Joe Lindley, with Hannah Miller as the Gruffalo’s Child, Robin Harris as the Understudy and Sabrina Simohamed as the Narrator and Mouse.
Olivia Jacobs said: “I love directing The Gruffalo’s Child and having the opportunity to work with this brilliant new cast who bring an original, fresh energy to the show. It’s a magical story, which feels hugely relevant to modern day parents/carers and young audience members. We want to protect our children, of course, but parenting isn’t a choice between building a fortress or allowing a free-for-all. The Gruffalo says ‘Don’t go into the wood’ and inevitably, his daughter does… But her adventure fosters resilience and confidence, sparks creativity and imagination. We need to encourage that in our children. But we also need them to know, just as the Gruffalo’s Child does, that they can always come home.”
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES from Monday 24 November 2025 to Sunday 11 January 2026.
Box Office: Email: bo*******@***********es.com
Phone: 0330 333 4812
Booking and full tour details: www.nimaxtheatres.com
