THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD
Lyric Theatre
★★★★
“playful, imaginative and full of heart”
Tall Stories returns with another charming adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book, The Gruffalo’s Child. Directed by company co-founder Olivia Jacobs, this production remains faithful to the rhythmic storytelling of the original text while adding Tall Stories’ signature playfulness and audience engagement.
From the start, the show leads us straight into the “deep dark wood,” following the Gruffalo’s Child as she wanders in search of the legendary Big Bad Mouse. Isla Shaw’s rotating set—cleverly revealing and concealing the Gruffalo—offers one of the most effective visual surprises, echoing the book’s iconic illustrations.
The cast of three brings great energy to the stage. Hannah Miller gives the Gruffalo’s Child a sweet, curious presence that young audiences love. Joe Lindley takes on the Gruffalo and all the woodland predators, shifting between Snake, Owl and Fox with strong physicality and comic timing. Sabrina Simohamed shines as both the Narrator and the Mouse, transforming from one to the other with remarkable clarity using only subtle costume changes. Her switch into the tiny Mouse is one of the standout moments of the show.
Tall Stories has always understood how to involve children, and this production breaks the fourth wall with confidence. The Snake welcome the audience as party guests, the Owl swoops across the stage flapping large wings, and Mr Fox leads a lively dance (Morag Cross) that has the whole auditorium smiling. These moments give young theatregoers a sense of real participation rather than simply watching from their seats.
Some elements could be strengthened; the Snake costume leaves little room for imagination and caused a few children to whisper “Who’s that?” during the scene. And while the appearance of the “Big Bad Mouse” shadow is a key moment from the book, the staging here feels brief and slightly underpowered, leaving the audience wanting a bit more build-up.
Musically, Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw’s songs keep the story moving with gentle humour and catchy rhythms. The final visual image—Gruffalo holding his child—is a touching and satisfying end, followed by a cheerful closing song that sends families out with warm smiles.
The venue’s scale occasionally works against the show’s potential for immersion—a more intimate space might have drawn the audience deeper into the magic. But the storytelling remains engaging throughout. The Gruffalo’s Child continues Tall Stories’ reputation for delivering high-quality children’s theatre: playful, imaginative and full of heart.
Overall, The Gruffalo’s Child succeeds as a clear, rhyming tale brought to life with care and consistency. It may not reinvent the form, but it honours its source with heart—and for young viewers witnessing theatre for the first time, that can be a wonderful gift.
THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD
Lyric Theatre then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 29th November 2025
by Portia Yuran Li
Photography by Charles Flint (from previous production)
Previously reviewed at this venue:
HADESTOWN | ★★★★★ | February 2024
GET UP STAND UP! | ★★★★ | August 2022
