Half term at Theatre Royal Bath is in full swing with this charming and popular production of the family favourite “The Gruffalo.”
Kemi Clarke, David Scotland and Elouise Warboys in The Gruffalo | Photo © Mark Senior
This adaptation by Tall Stories is great fun. There is music and catchy songs by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw which allows the story to be expanded and enjoyed by all.
Directed by Toby Mitchell against a picture-perfect design by Isla Shaw, the woodland is both atmospheric and non-threatening as the story unfolds.
The company work hard to engage and interact with the audience. David Scotland plays Gruffalo, Elouise Warboys is Mouse whilst Kemi Clarke carries the lion’s share playing Fox, Owl and Snake.
The multi-role playing is great fun and ensures a distance for the younger audience to understand that nothing we are watching is real and the appearance of The Gruffalo in his fabulous costume raises laughter and excitement.
My four-and-a-half-year-old companion was unsure of the slight detours made from the original story but thought it was “very, very good” and the characters were “funny and not scary”. Which had been his major concern.
This is high-quality children’s theatre and was clearly enjoyed by the large audience. It is a great introduction for all the family and whilst it is aimed at younger children there were many who were out of the age range clearly having a great time.
It works on so many levels that the older ones can share in the fun of the multi-role playing where Kemi makes the most of each character from Captain Owl to perhaps one of the vainest snakes ever seen.
Credit to the whole company who brought a huge amount of fun to a cold and rather grey day.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
