Watch Out! The Gruffalo is back in the West End

The Gruffalo at the Lyric Theatre, London

This July everyone’s favourite furry monster roars back into the West End in celebration of his 15th anniversary on stage. Tall Stories’ smash hit production of The Gruffalo, which first opened on the 12 May 2001, 18 months after the book was first published, returns to the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 6 July. Tall Stories’ The Gruffalo is based on the much loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The most fearsome creature that never was – but is – takes to the stage in this enchanting production combining songs, laughter and storytelling theatre with just the right amount of scary fun! Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell from Tall Stories said: “Back in 1999, when we asked Julia and Axel if we could adapt their then little-known book The Gruffalo for the stage, we had no idea how things would turn out. The original 2001 tour involved … Read more

REVIEW: The Gruffalo, Lyric Theatre ✭✭✭✭

The Gruffalo at the Lyric Theatre, London

Matilda this show is not – the original and the adaptation are thin fare in comparison with the disturbing and multi-layered creations of Dahl and his later creative adapters. But on its own terms this show achieves exactly what it sets out to do and fully deserves the appreciation of reviewers, whether aged eight or eighty.

REVIEW: Room On The Broom, Lyric Theatre ✭✭✭✭

David Garrud, Emma MacLennan, Daniel Foxsmith and Yvette Clutterbuck aboard the broom in Room On The Broom. Photo: Helen Warner

Room On The Broom, based on the picture book of the same name by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler flew into the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue today to cast a magical spell over its young audience. Presented by theatre company Tall Stories, this 55 minute show was an absolute delight, and had the audience aged 3+ hooked from start to finish. Room On The Broom tells the story of a friendly witch (Yvette Clutterbuck), her cat (Emma MacLennan) a dog and a frog (David Garrud) and a bird (Daniel Foxsmith) who take to the skies on a broom and face a fearsome dragon  (Daniel Foxsmith) in this magical, musical adventure. Room On The Broom is a colourful and beautifully staged telling of a story that many youngsters present in the audience knew intimately. One youngster sitting next to me knew large slabs of the text and recited along as … Read more