Taking my learning disabled daughter, Poppy, to watch a show about a book she has loved for years was always going to be a gamble. What will she think of the book being brought to life on stage? What will she think of the characters? I needn’t have worried as this show exceeded all expectations.
The Gruffalo live on stage, by registered charity Tall Stories, has been running since 2001, and is based on the book written by well-known author Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler.
The stage set is a wonderful 3D version of the deep dark wood brought to life. Clever lighting changes the mood and moves the story along. Each of the story’s characters are exquisitely portrayed by the three brilliant actors.
The original storyline is still at the core of this theatre production – a very clever mouse takes a stroll through the deep dark wood in search of a tasty nut – and encounters three hungry animals on his travels.
He manages to trick all three of them – a fox, and owl and a snake – into thinking he is on his way to meet a scary made-up creature called a Gruffalo, and one by one, he scares them into letting him go. But, after successfully getting rid of the animals with his story, he ends up face-to-face with the Gruffalo.
The quick-thinking mouse then thinks of a cunning plan to scare the monster away.
The mouse, wonderfully played by Elouise Warboys, is a delight to watch as he develops from a timid creature into one that becomes very confident in overcoming his enemies.
What struck me about each of the three enemies, all played by Kemi Clarke, is that they each have their own unique character – from the ska-singing fox to the owl who sings along to ‘flap-a-dap-a-ding-dong-day’, whilst the disco-tastique snake (complete with disco ball) is a delight dancing along to the 70s beat with boundless energy, which got Poppy dancing away in her seat.
There is plenty for children to interact with during the show and lines direct from the story book that the audience instantly recognise and happily repeat from memory. And there are also some witty one-liners added into the storyline too!
The Gruffalo, aptly played by David Scotland has a strong Scottish accent and the audience is greeted with him roaring into G-G-G-Gruffalo, and ‘What Gruffalos Do’. All of the songs have lots of repetition in, which kept Poppy’s attention. The Gruffalo character was a real hit with Poppy, she could not stop giggling at him, especially when he roared!
A truly delightful production that kept Poppy entertained throughout – and that is no mean feat!
Poppy’s verdict
★★★★★
The Gruffalo is at Curve until Sunday, April 20. Limited tickets available.
