THIS IS LONDON NOVEMBER EDITION 2025 - Flipbook - Page 26
THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD COMES TO
LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS
Tall Stories returns to London’s West
End this Christmas with its much-loved
production of The Gruffalo’s Child,
adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel
Scheffler’s award-winning picture book.
Featuring an all-new cast and directed by
Tall Stories’ co-founder Olivia Jacobs,
the show runs at the Lyric Theatre until
11 January.
The story follows the adventurous
daughter of the Gruffalo, who is warned
never to set foot in the ‘deep, dark wood’.
But, one wild winter night, curiosity gets
the better of her. Ignoring her father’s
fears about the mysterious Big Bad
Mouse, she tiptoes into the snowcovered forest, meeting a fox, a snake
and an owl along the way. What she
discovers is a tale where bravery,
cleverness and imagination triumph.
True to the picture book’s charm, Tall
Stories weaves rhyming narration,
original music and lively humour into a
warm, family-friendly production for
ages three and up. The company’s
signature physical storytelling, inventive
puppetry and direct engagement with the
audience create a world where children
feel invited to play, explore and imagine
long after the curtain falls.
Artistic Director Toby Mitchell says
the story resonates because it captures a
young character’s first steps into
independence: ‘Families can leave
screens behind and enter the special
imaginative world Julia and Axel have
created.’
Further information and booking
details are available on the website at
tallstories.org.uk/the-gruffalos-child
MADDIE MOATE’S VERY CURIOUS
CHRISTMAS
This Christmas, Maddie Moate will
bring her Olivier Award-nominated
festive adventure back to the West End –
and she won’t be alone.
Beloved children’s TV presenter
Maddie (CBeebies’ Maddie’s Do You
Know?) will once again lead the show,
joined by returning workshop helpers
Kira MacCarter as ‘Tinker’, and Zain
Abrahams as ‘Goggles’, with CBeebies
star Jennie Dale reprising her role as
‘Mrs Claus’ via a special virtual
appearance.
Created and written by Maddie, the
show takes audiences on an exciting
STEM adventure inside Santa’s
workshop, with performances at the
Garrick Theatre from Friday
12 December to Sunday 4 January.
Photo: Mark Senior
Photos: Charlie Flint Photography
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Maddie is on work experience in this
winter wonderland, and she’s got her
hands full with two hilarious elves:
Tinker, the trainee toymaker, and
Goggles, the Head of Elf Safety. But with
Christmas just around the corner, the
workshop is a whirlwind of mishaps!
With the clock ticking, Maddie and
her young audience must use science,
curiosity, and a sprinkle of Christmas
magic to help Tinker and Goggles fix the
workshop in time for Mrs Claus’ big
visit. Packed with festive fun, hands-on
experiments, and plenty of giggles this
family-friendly show is the perfect
Christmas treat for kids and grown-ups
as they work together to save the holiday
season!
www.maddiemoate.com
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