Review of The Gruffalo at The Lowry Theatre

Review: The Gruffalo at The Lowry Theatre

[Ad-gifted] Few children’s books have captured the imagination of families quite like The Gruffalo. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved tale of a clever Mouse and a mysterious woodland creature has become a bedtime favourite for generations.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Tall Stories‘ magical stage adaptation returns to The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays, bringing the deep dark wood to life with music, laughter and imaginative storytelling.

Founded in 1999, Tall Stories has built a reputation for creating inventive, interactive theatre for family audiences, delighting children and adults alike with productions that prove a little imagination can go a very long way. Their adaptation of The Gruffalo remains one of their most successful and beloved productions.

What We Thought About The Gruffalo

There is something incredibly special about seeing such a treasured story brought from page to stage. As we took our seats, lots of excited children and adults alike, clutched their Gruffalo books and cuddly toys, eagerly waiting for Mouse to begin the adventure through the deep dark wood.

From the moment Mouse stepped onto the stage, the audience was completely engaged. One of the production’s biggest strengths is its audience participation. Children were encouraged to join in throughout, calling out, clapping along and helping Mouse outwit the hungry Fox, Owl and Snake. It created a lovely atmosphere where everyone felt part of the adventure rather than simply watching from their seats.

The cast deserves enormous praise for their energetic performances and ability to transform a simple stage into an enchanting woodland. Rianna Kellman was utterly charming as Mouse, capturing the character’s cleverness, bravery and warmth with ease. Jordan Cattle showcased impressive versatility, seamlessly switching between the cunning Fox, eccentric Owl and slippery Snake, with each character feeling completely unique.

Of course, the moment everyone had been waiting for was the arrival of the Gruffalo himself. Niall Hemingway delivered a wonderfully playful performance that struck just the right balance between fearsome and friendly for younger audiences. The biggest surprise came when the Gruffalo ventured into the audience, creating magical moments as delighted children watched the famous creature stroll right past them. It was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the afternoon.

Musically, the production is full of catchy songs that keep the story moving at a lively pace. The upbeat finale had children and adults clapping and singing along together, ending the performance on a real high and sending everyone home with huge smiles.

One of Tall Stories‘ greatest achievements is remaining faithful to Julia Donaldson‘s original story while adding enough theatrical creativity to make it feel fresh and exciting. With minimal props, expressive performances and plenty of imagination, they prove that children’s theatre doesn’t need elaborate sets to create magical moments.

At approximately 55 minutes with no interval, the performance may feel a little long for some younger children, particularly those experiencing theatre for the first time. However, thanks to the engaging audience participation, lively songs and constant interaction, it holds children’s attention remarkably well and provides a wonderful introduction to the magic of live theatre.

Overall, The Gruffalo is a delightful family production packed with laughter, music and interactive fun. Whether your little one already knows every word of the story or is discovering the Gruffalo for the very first time, this enchanting production is a wonderful introduction to live theatre and a thoroughly enjoyable family day out.

Cast of The Gruffalo

Mouse – Rianna Kellman
Fox, Owl & Snake – Jordan Cattle
The Gruffalo – Niall Hemingway
Gruffalo Understudy – Adam Pritchard

Creatives

Company Stage Manager Molly Tackaberry
Produced by Tall Stories Theatre Company
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Director Olivia Jacobs
Dramaturg Toby Mitchell
Designer Isla Shaw
Lighting Designer James Whiteside
Music & Lyrics Jon Fiber & Andy Shaw (JollyGoodTunes)
Additional Lyrics Olivia Jacobs & Robin Price
Puppet Designer Yvonne Stone
Choreographer Morag Cross
Choreography Morag Cross, Luanna Priestman & Bex Allingham
Costume Supervisor Anna Dixon
UK Production Manager Joe Jenner
Scenic Construction Harrogate Theatre Scenic Services, Junction Inc Limited & Visual Scene
Transport Robert Ashby for CEG Logistics
BSL Interpreter Amy Astley / Audio Describer Caroline Burn
Marketing Jane Morgan Associates (West End dates) & Tall Stories Marketing Team
PR The Space inBetween
Original Devisers Tom Banks, Felix Hayes, Olivia Jacobs, Sharon McArdle & Toby Mitchell

How much are the tickets to The Gruffalo and how long is the show?

Tickets are priced from £19.50. Orders subject to a £3.50 transaction fee. Show lasts approximately 55 minutes (no interval). Age recommendation : 3+

How do I book tickets to watch The Gruffalo?

To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here.

When is The Gruffalo?

Fri 03 Jul 2026 at 2pm, Sat 04 Jul 2026 at 4.30pm, Sat 05 Jul 2026 at 10.30am and 1.30pm

- Relaxed | Sat 4 July 2026 at 10.30am
- BSL interpreted by Amy Astley | Sat 4 July 2026 at 1:30pm
- Audio Described by Caroline Burn | Sun 5 Jul 2026 at 13:30pm. Touch Tour at 12:30pm

Where will the performance be held?

The Lowry
The Lyric Theatre
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000

Notes:

The Lowry welcomes all visitors regardless of their disability and strives to meet all individuals needs where possible.
They welcome assistance dogs.
The Lowry website is fully accessible and features BrowseAloud. Browsealoud adds speech, reading and translation support, facilitating access and participation for those people who need support reading print, dyslexia, low literacy, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. To use this feature, simply click on the grey ear logo located in the footer.
If you are driving to the show, we would recommend for you to park at The Lowry Outlet which is opposite the theatre, but be aware as there is lack of signage from the car park area to the theatre, so best to ask someone or use google maps to find your way.

Pre paid car parking tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to your performance. Please note they are unable to sell pre paid tickets on your performance date, and you will need to pay at the ticket machines in the car park. The tickets can be booked at the same time as your seats via their website, or over the phone on freephone 0343 208 6000. The cost is £6.50. This allows you to park for the day.

About The Lowry Theatre

The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. They present audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike. At the heart of their work is a commitment to the local communities and young people. Tapping into the work on their ur stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. They are passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.

About Tall Stories

Tall Stories is a registered charity which tours the UK and the world with its exciting blend of storytelling theatre, catchy music and lots of laughs. Founded in 1997 by Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, Tall Stories shows have played in the West End, on Broadway and at the Sydney Opera House, as well as all sorts of venues and countries in between.

Tall Stories creates opportunities for everyone to get involved with theatre. The company offers accessible relaxed performances (often with integrated BSL) and provides free shows and experiences, helping to remove barriers that might otherwise prevent families from getting involved. From its studio base in Islington, London, Tall Stories nurtures new creatives and performers, whilst also delivering community events and projects.

Review: The Gruffalo at The Lowry Theatre

Review by: Becky McManus

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Photo Credit: The Lowry

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.

Art & Theatre Manchester

Review: The Gruffalo at The Lowry Theatre*