The Stage

The Gruffalo’s Child

Published Wednesday 2 May 2007 at 15:25 by Emma Harlen

Fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s phenomenally successful book will not be disappointed with this Tall Stories production, which is now in its second year.

This sequel to The Gruffalo has been adapted by Toby Mitchell and his script keeps the audience enchanted throughout. He cleverly weaves the rhyming story into the action, narrated by Abbey Norman as Mouse.

First up, we are introduced to the Gruffalos and quickly learn about the dangers in the woods - beware the big, bad mouse, Gruffalo junior is warned.

But the youngster is eager to explore the mysterious forest and it is not long before he sneaks out of the cave and tiptoes into the deep, dark wood in search of the rotten rodent in this hour-long adventure.

Some catchy songs, by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw, are thrown into the mix and help move the story along - hours after the performance I found myself still humming one in particular.

Nathan Guy gives an energetic performance as the various forest creatures (and the Gruffalo), while Yvette Clutterbuck is convincing as the Gruffalo’s Chid with her youthful voice and mannerisms.

Pip Hazell and Victoria Jarrett’s costumes are true to Scheffler’s original illustrations - the pre-schoolers in the audience were really taken by the Gruffalos’ prickly, purple backs.

Guy’s woodland trio are portrayed with simple yet effective costumes - a trench coat and trilby hat for the laddish Fox, goggles and baggy cardigan for the wise Owl and a spangly silver jacket for the Spanish snake.

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