THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Announces Special Performances During Run at St. James Theatre

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE will be spending Christmas at the St. James Theatre in London from 10 December to 5 January, following a highly acclaimed UK tour. Tall Stories, the producers and creators of this enchanting adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's book, are delighted to announce two very special performances: on Sunday 15 December, at 2.00pm, there will be a gala performance in aid of the charity Storybook Soldiers, and on Thursday 19 December, at 10.00am, there will be a relaxed performance.

Storybook Soldiers help British Military personnel abroad to record bedtime CDs for their children back home. THE SNALE AND THE WHALE is one of the most requested books by the children for their fathers and mothers to record. In this stage adaptation, the amazing journey of the tiny snail is seen through the eyes of a very adventurous young girl, who would love to be going round the world with her seafaring father.

Relaxed performances are especially for families with one or more children with special needs, designed to provide an opportunity for people with autism, learning difficulties or other communication and sensory needs, who require a more relaxed environment. This will be the first relaxed performance in a central London venue for a family show specifically aimed at younger children. This follows Mousetrap Theatre Projects' (MTP) hugely successful relaxed performances of two West End musicals. MTP's long-term goal is to see regular relaxed performances in the West End. The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is a great supporter of this project and both MTP and SOLT are working hard to try and ensure that relaxed performances become a familiar fixture in the theatre diary.

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE is Tall Stories' latest collaboration with writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. The book was published to great acclaim in 2003, winning the 2004 Early Years award, the 2005 Blue Peter award and the 2007 Giverny award. Julia Donaldson has said it is "probably my favourite of all the books I have written for Axel Scheffler to illustrate". Former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and world renowned illustrator Axel Scheffler are responsible for some of the most charming and best loved children's books and Tall Stories are proud to continue to bring their books to life on stage for children all over the world.

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE will be one of four productions Tall Stories is presenting in London over the Christmas period; the other three being The Snow Dragon at Watermans Brentford, My Brother the Robot at the Roundhouse and The Gruffalo at the Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue.

Created in Tall Stories' unique, family-friendly style, THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE will enchant and captivate all children from age 4 upwards, with physical storytelling, live music and lots of humour. A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, experiencing sharks and penguins, icebergs and volcanoes. But when the whale gets beached, how can the tiny snail save him?

At St. James Theatre, the Snail/Daughter will be played by Rhiannon Wallace, Whale/Dad by Patrick Bridgman and Daughter/Musician by Ellen Chivers.

Tall Stories is a registered charity founded in 1997 by co-directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. The company has toured extensively in both small and large scale venues across the world, including various West End theatres, the National Theatre and on Broadway.

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE is adapted and directed by Toby Mitchell with creative producer Olivia Jacobs, music by Richard Heacock, design by Isla Shaw and lighting by James Whiteside.

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