THE GRUFFALO Returning to Lyric Theatre

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 by popular demand from 6 July until 4 September 2016, forming a huge part of this summer's West End calendar.

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! Set to a wonderfully catchy score with original music and lyrics, The Gruffalo is a must-see show which continues to entertain audiences the world over.

Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell from Tall Stories said today "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 three actors in a car (not even a stage manager!) touring to schools and small venues. To go from there to the West End, Broadway and the Sydney Opera House has been quite a journey."

Tall Stories is also relaunching its website today, on World Book Day, offering improved access to all its shows and adding a ticket facility enabling audiences to buy tickets for Tall Stories shows from them directly as well as from their venues. See: www.tallstories.org.uk / www.gruffalolive.com / tickets.tallstories.org.uk

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep dark wood in search of a nut, meeting the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party mad Snake on the way. Will the story of the Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these wily woodland creatures? Armed with only a nut map and a little courage, Mouse must outwit them all. After all, there's no such thing as a Gruffalo - is there?

Fantastic facts about The Gruffalo stage show

This year the live stage show celebrates its 15th anniversary, having opened on 12 May 2001 at Chester Gateway Theatre. Since then the show has performed in 14 countries and 5 continents, played twice at the Sydney Opera House, twice on Broadway, once at the Royal National Theatre and has had eight West End seasons.

· The show has been performed in three languages with Mandarin, Xhosa and Icelandic versions currently in development.

· In 2014-15, the show was seen by over 300,000 people.

· 17 different actors have played the Gruffalo.

· In January 2016 The Gruffalo kicked off Childline's 30th anniversary year with a charity gala which raised £9,000, shared between Childline and Brighton-based charity Amaze.

· In summer 2015 The Gruffalo hosted the first ever West End relaxed performance of a show for children aged three and up, working with Mousetrap Theatre Projects. Another relaxed performance will be held this summer, alongside BSL and audio-described performances.

Fantastic facts about The Gruffalo book

· The book was first published in 1999 and has sold over 13.5 million copies worldwide.

· The book has been translated into over 50 languages.

· The Gruffalo is the UK's bestselling picture book.

· Julia Donaldson is the UK's bestselling author (including adult and children's books).

· April 2016 marks the 100th UK print run, bringing total UK sales to nearly 2.5 million copies.

· Voted the nation's favourite bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners, The Gruffalo is a real modern classic.

· The Gruffalo has been adapted into a BAFTA - and Oscar-nominated film which is shown each year at Christmas on the BBC and has sold over 1.5 million DVDs.

Notes to editors

The Gruffalo is produced and created by the award-winning theatre company Tall Stories - a creative force whose credits include Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo's Child, The Snail and the Whale and The Snow Dragon. The creative team includes Director Olivia Jacobs, Creative Producer Toby Mitchell, Designer Isla Shaw, Composers Jon Fiber & Andy Shaw of JollyGoodTunes and Lighting Designer James Whiteside.

Tall Stories was founded in 1997 by co-directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. The company brings great stories to life for audiences of all ages. Tall Stories is a registered charity which tours the UK and the world with its exciting blend of storytelling theatre, original music and lots of laughs.

"Tall Stories sets the benchmark for children's theatre" Sunday Times.

Tall Stories' current/upcoming productions include:

· Alfie White: Space Explorer (UK Tour, Autumn 2016)

· The Snail and the Whale (UK and international tour, Summer 2016)

· The Gruffalo's Child (UK Spring / Summer and international tour, Autumn 2016)

· Emily Brown and the Thing (Christmas 2016)

www.tallstories.org.uk @TallStoriesNews

Olivia Jacobs (Director) Olivia trained at Central/University of London. She has directed shows in the West End, on Broadway and in Sydney Opera House. Credits include: The Gruffalo (including live DVD), The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, Snow White, Mr Benn, William's Monsters, Something Else, Emily Brown and the Thing and Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. She is former Director of Camden People's Theatre and co-founder of Tall Stories.

Toby Mitchell (Creative Producer) studied at Cambridge and trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. UK and international directing credits for Tall Stories include: Alfie White: Space Explorer, The Snail and the Whale, The Snow Dragon and My Brother the Robot. UK includes: The Owl and the Pussycat and Alice and Mr Dodgson. Other directing/devising work includes: Monsters Got Talent, A British Guide to French Pop and The Island of First Loves. He is co-founder and joint artistic director of Tall Stories.

Julia Donaldson is one of the most popular writers of children's books today; her titles include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. Other titles by Donaldson and Scheffler include The Snail & the Whale, A Squash and a Squeeze, The Smartest Giant in Town and The Tales from Acorn Wood series.

Axel Scheffler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his children's book illustrations, as co-creator of The Gruffalo series, and for Jingle Jangle Jungle, Pip and Posy and Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats among many others. Born in Germany, Axel now lives in London with his partner and daughter.

Kenny Wax Family Entertainment Ltd. - General Manager

Kenny Wax is renowned for bringing some of the best of children's theatre to the West End and on tour including Tall Stories' The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and the Olivier Award nominated Room on the Broom, as well as What the Ladybird Heard and the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Jaqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather which will play the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida this June. They have also had great success with We're Going on a Bear Hunt and the Olivier Award nominated The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Last winter KWFE brought their brand new family musical Mr Popper's Penguins to the Lowry in Salford for an extended Christmas season. Independently, Kenny also produces Top Hat, The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and will bring the brand new A Comedy about a Bank Robbery to the Criterion this March. For more information visit www.kennywax.com

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