THE GRUFFALO to Return to South Africa Following Sold-Out Debut
By: Ashlee Latimer Oct. 17, 2016
Mandisi Heshu in the South African
production of THE GRUFFALO
3
Currently enjoying its 15th anniversary at the Lyric Theatre, THE GRUFFALO returns to South Africa this December. The national tour follows on from a sell-out run at the Cape Town Fringe where the production made its debut this September. This also marked the first time the smash-hit Tall Stories production was staged on the African continent.
Having previously toured to over 500 venues across the globe, THE GRUFFALO first opened on 12 May 2001 at the Chester Gateway Theatre. Since then, it has been performed in 15 countries on six continents, playing the Sydney Opera House and Broadway twice each. Also having played a season at the National Theatre, the production is now in its ninth West End run.
THE GRUFFALO is based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's popular book, with the production aimed at families with pre-school and primary school children aged 3 and up. Joint artistic directors of Tall Stories, Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, commented on the success of the show:
We're incredibly excited that THE GRUFFALO continues to travel the world, reaching children and their families in all sorts of faraway countries. Our latest co-production will return to South Africa in December using a local cast and performing in both English and isiXhosa. The show has already been translated into German and Spanish and we're currently planning further future translations. We love how the story seems to resonate with cultures around the world.
THE GRUFFALO is running at the Lyric Theatre in London until 9 January, currently playing weekends through autumn. Tickets can be booked through the box office on 0330 333 4812 or via the Nimax Theatres website. A New Zealand tour is also underway, playing through 17 November. The South African production runs in December, while the new year will see a production of THE GRUFFALO play a season at the Victoria Theatre in Singapore from 12 - 16 January. Keep up with THE GRUFFALO on Twitter, Facebook or through the show's website.
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