Review: The Gruffalo (Lyric Theatre / UK tour)

Review by Dan Sinclair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I reckon you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t know the story of The Gruffalo. Whether you had it read to you in bed - were the bedtime reader or just know the iconic illustrations of Axel Scheffler. In fact, I didn’t realise how well I remembered the story myself until I heard a room full of kids and their parents shouting ‘roasted fox’, ‘owl ice cream’ and ‘scrambled snake’! 

Titans of children's theatre, Tall Stories bring their classic production of The Gruffalo to the Lyric Theatre before embarking on a UK tour. Originally performed back in 2001, this production has been updated and re-invented over the years. With gorgeous design, impressive acting and some catchy musical numbers, it’s a blast. We open with three travellers lost in the woods before diving straight into the story itself, where three actors proceed to play a whole host of characters. The real strength of the show is the fact that it does not simply rely on the narration. Originally conceived and directed by Toby Mitchell and Olivia Jacobs, it manages to keep itself distanced from being a sit-down story time and instead brings the story to life in front of you. 

The physical performances of the whole cast are remarkable, sharp, energetic and clearly inspired by Steven Berkoff. While the three play a wide range of characters, there are some notable standout moments. As the mouse, Elouise Warboys bounces across the stage, effortlessly charming in carrying the bulk of the storytelling in the show. Kemi Clarke and his off-stage dressers deserve an Olympic medal. Playing the Fox, Owl and Snake he creates three distinct characters, each as sneaky and villainous as the last. As the titular Gruffalo, David Scotland towers over the stage, always popping up in the background, perfectly capturing the cheeky spirit of the show. 

The musical numbers are the biggest surprise of the show, each one parodying a different genre, from the ska/”Gangsters” by The Specials villain number by the Fox, to the Owl dancing the Charleston. The highlight, however, is the Saturday Night Fever dream by the Snake. With a disco ball spinning, the flared and snakeskin-clad Kemi Clarke busts some show-stealing moves and vocals. Alongside colourful costumes, Isla Shaw’s set design places you slap bang in the middle of one of Axel Scheffler’s original illustrations. 

The show doesn’t take the Pixar line of having the story for the kids and the jokes for the adults, because it doesn’t need to. It’s truly a piece of theatre that is genuinely enjoyable for everyone. We all know and love the story, and sometimes it’s nice to switch off, watch silly songs, slapstick and shout ‘ROAR’ at the top of your lungs alongside children hyped up on early morning over-priced theatre ice cream. As Donaldson might say, the Lyric found The Gruffalo, and The Gruffalo was good. 

The Gruffalo is showing at the Lyric Theatre until 8th September. 

Tickets can be found here: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-gruffalo-2024/ 

Tour dates: https://tallstories.org.uk/the-gruffalo/