REVIEW - THE GRUFFALO | THE LOWRY | 03/07/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 4 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Gruffalo at The Lowry - A Roaring Family Adventure in the Deep Dark Wood
Few children's books have captured the hearts of families quite like The Gruffalo. Since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler first introduced readers to the clever little Mouse and the mysterious creature lurking in the deep, dark wood, the story has become a modern classic. As Tall Stories celebrates the 25th anniversary of its much-loved stage adaptation, the production continues to prove why it's one of the best introductions to live theatre for young audiences.
We've enjoyed several Tall Stories productions over the years, including Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo's Child and The Smeds and The Smoos, so returning to The Lowry to revisit The Gruffalo was something our whole family had been looking forward to.
We first saw this production here four years ago, when Alice and Leo were just four and three years old. It was one of their earliest theatre experiences, so returning now felt particularly special. Although they knew the story inside out, they enjoyed it just as much—if not even more—the second time around. Alice proudly brought along her cuddly Owl, while Leo arrived with his favourite Mouse toy, both excited to see their favourite characters brought to life on stage once again.
Running for approximately 55 minutes with no interval, The Gruffalo is perfectly paced for children aged three and over, making it an ideal first theatre trip while offering plenty for returning families to enjoy.
The story follows a tiny Mouse as he journeys through the deep, dark wood in search of hazelnuts. Along the way he encounters a hungry Fox, Owl and Snake, each hoping Mouse might become their next meal. Thinking quickly, Mouse invents a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo, describing a fearsome beast whose favourite foods just happen to include roasted fox, owl ice cream and scrambled snake.
What begins as a clever trick to scare away the woodland creatures soon takes an unexpected turn when Mouse comes face to face with the very creature he invented.
Remaining wonderfully faithful to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved picture book, Tall Stories brings the familiar story to life with plenty of humour, catchy songs and audience participation, making it just as entertaining for families revisiting the story as it is for those discovering it for the first time.
From the moment Mouse appeared, Alice and Leo were completely captivated. Alice laughed at Fox's mischievous antics, but it was Owl who completely stole her heart.
Clutching the Owl toy she'd brought with her, she couldn't stop giggling every time he crashed into trees, whispering to me, "He's not very good at flying!"
Leo's favourite character was Mouse, proudly pointing out that he'd brought his own cuddly Mouse along for the adventure. He loved cheering Mouse on as he cleverly outwitted each of the woodland animals.
One of the biggest highlights for both children came during Snake's lively disco number. The catchy song soon had children throughout the auditorium dancing along, with Alice and Leo happily joining in. Later, when everyone was encouraged to roar like the Gruffalo to help scare away Fox, Owl and Snake, they threw themselves into it with huge smiles, producing some impressively loud roars of their own.
The moment everyone had been waiting for, however, was the Gruffalo's arrival. Although every bit as impressive as the book suggests, he's never too frightening for younger audiences, striking just the right balance between excitement and fun. Seeing the Gruffalo venture into the audience was a real highlight, delighting children throughout the theatre and adding another magical touch to an already engaging production.
Tall Stories has always excelled at creating magical worlds through imaginative storytelling rather than elaborate scenery, and The Gruffalo is a wonderful example of just how effective that can be.
Inspired by Axel Scheffler's much-loved illustrations, the woodland set immediately transports the audience into the deep, dark wood. Towering tree trunks, painted woodland backdrops and cleverly designed scenery create an enchanting setting that feels instantly familiar while leaving plenty of room for the audience's imagination.
Although the set remains largely unchanged throughout the performance, every element has been thoughtfully designed to support the story. One particularly clever piece of design is Snake's log pile home. What first appears to be an ordinary stack of logs suddenly bursts into life during Snake's disco-inspired song, lighting up in a kaleidoscope of colours like a giant disco light. It's a simple but brilliant effect that perfectly complements the upbeat number and adds even more energy to one of the show's most memorable scenes.
The costumes strike the perfect balance between recognisable and theatrical. Mouse, Fox, Owl and Snake all instantly resemble their picture book counterparts without feeling over complicated, while the Gruffalo himself is instantly recognisable, complete with his terrible tusks, terrible claws, knobbly knees and poisonous wart. He looks as though he's stepped straight from the pages of the book.
Music plays an important role throughout, with each woodland creature enjoying their own memorable song. The catchy score keeps the story moving at a lively pace, but it's Snake's energetic disco number that steals the show, encouraging children and grown-ups alike to get involved. Combined with subtle lighting that gently shifts the mood as Mouse's adventure unfolds, the production creates a joyful atmosphere that perfectly captures the playful spirit of the original story.
With just three performers bringing the entire story to life, the cast delivers a wonderfully energetic performance packed with humour, warmth and personality. Each actor fully embraces the playful nature of the production, creating characters that instantly connect with the audience while keeping children engaged from beginning to end.
Rianna Kellman is excellent as Mouse, capturing the character's quick thinking, determination and gentle charm. She leads the audience confidently through the adventure, encouraging children to join in while making Mouse someone everyone wants to root for. It's easy to see why Leo immediately chose Mouse as his favourite character.
Jordan Cattle showcases impressive versatility, seamlessly switching between the sly Fox, the delightfully accident-prone Owl and the fun-loving Snake. Each character has their own distinct personality, voice and physicality, making them instantly recognisable, with Cattle moving effortlessly between the three roles.
Making a memorable entrance, Niall Hemingway is everything you'd hope for in the title role. Complete with his terrible tusks, terrible claws and poisonous wart, his Gruffalo is instantly recognisable, but it's the warmth and gentle humour behind the performance that makes the character so appealing. Rather than being too scary for younger audiences, he strikes exactly the right balance between imposing and playful.
Together, the cast creates a wonderfully engaging production that feels fresh, fun and full of energy. Their natural rapport with one another, combined with their effortless audience interaction, ensures The Gruffalo remains just as magical on stage as it is on the page.
Twenty-five years after it first premiered, The Gruffalo continues to be one of the very best family shows around. Tall Stories has beautifully captured the charm, humour and imagination of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved story, creating a production that's just as enchanting for grown-ups as it is for little ones.
Whether your family is discovering Mouse's adventure for the first time or returning to the deep, dark wood once again, The Gruffalo offers 55 minutes of laughter, music, imagination and interactive fun that will leave children talking about it long after the final bows.
A monstrously magical family adventure that never loses its bite.
The Gruffalo will be at The Lowry until Sunday 5th July 2026. Tickets are available using the link below.
For more information about the production, including tour dates and show details, visit the official website below.
Photo Credit - Tall Stories
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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