Theatre / Family Theatre
The Gruffalo stage show celebrates 25 years
Tall Stories’ stage adaptation of the classic Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book The Gruffalo is celebrating 25 years, with a UK-wide tour that arrives at Bristol Old Vic on April 7 for a 12-day run.
Over its lifetime, the 55-minute show has been seen by over 3 million people across 18 countries, and translated into seven different languages at the last count, with the Gruffalo character performed by 37 actors.
Pitched for young families, it includes puppetry and songs, and plenty of visual storytelling alongside Donaldson’s memorable lines.
Despite its longevity, each new production evolves from the last. As Tall Stories co-founder Olivia Jacobs, who directed the first iteration, explains: “We’re always seeking new ways to connect with our audience, and get them laughing.
“We encourage each performer to improvise, discover their personal take on the characters, and uncover new moments of imagination and magic.
“It’s the sense of playfulness, audience connection, creativity and unpredictable energy that makes Tall stories’ shows so special and never the same twice.”
The Gruffalo unfolds as a classic ‘David and Goliath’ story, following the journey of a tiny and daring creature outwitting a series of deceptively charming potential predators, including the fox, the owl, the snake, and – who knows what might follow.
In collaboration with charity partner Read for Good, performances of the show from the Lowry in Salford over the summer of 2026 will be live-streamed into children’s hospitals around the UK, demonstrating what Tall Stories executive director Tara Wilkinson calls “our dedication to finding ways we can bring theatre to those who face barriers to attending traditional spaces”.
The Gruffalo (age recommendation 3+) is at Bristol Old Vic on April 7-18 at 11am and 2pm daily. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
All photos: Mark Senior
Read next:
- The Singing Mermaid
- Review: What the Ladybird Heard, Colston Hall
- Review: The Gruffalo, Bristol Old Vic, 2014
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