Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) is inviting audiences on a magical journey through the deep, dark woods as it presents The Gruffalo’s Child from March 21 to 30. In collaboration with London-based Tall Stories Theatre, this heartwarming adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s award-winning sequel promises to enchant both children and parents alike with its delightful costumes, puppetry, and music.
Sarah Flynn, artistic associate at MTYP, is excited to bring this production to Winnipeg audiences. “It’s such a good story, and they do such a good job of it,” she said. “When they told us they were doing The Gruffalo’s Child, we knew we had to bring it in.”
A UK-Canada Collaboration
Tall Stories Theatre, a London-based company known for creating imaginative theatre for young audiences, brings its signature blend of storytelling, music, and movement to this adaptation. “They often take well-known stories and add music, dance, and really interesting costumes,” Flynn explained. “They’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and they always find a way to make it magical.”
As part of the collaboration, Tall Stories provides everything for the show, from sets and costumes to the full touring cast and stage manager. “They bring all their things with them,” Flynn said. “We just provide the lights. They tell us where to put them, and we turn them on.”
An Adventure Through the Woods
The story follows the Gruffalo’s child as she sets out in search of the legendary Big Bad Mouse, meeting a variety of woodland creatures along the way. The production cleverly uses a minimal set, with trees that shift and transform to depict different locations. “They do a really clever job using the pieces they have,” Flynn noted. “A little hatch in one tree becomes the owl’s house, and when they move the trees together, that’s the fox’s den. It’s all very smartly done.”
Capturing the Charm of the Book
Donaldson’s stories are known for their rhyming couplets and playful humour, which translate seamlessly into the stage adaptation. “A lot of the rhymes lend themselves really well to music,” Flynn said. “The songs have these catchy choruses that repeat, and most of the words from the book happen on stage.”
While the music is pre-recorded due to the challenges of touring with a live band, all the singing is performed live by the actors. The cast of three also moves all of the set pieces themselves. “We had some kids in today, and they asked, ‘Who was moving all the stuff back there?’ And the actors were like, ‘It was us!’” Flynn laughed.
A One-Person Multi-Character Performance
One of the actors, Billy McCleary, plays multiple roles, including the fox, the owl, the snake, and even the Gruffalo himself. “He hides behind the trees to change costumes and comes out looking completely different every time,” Flynn said. “His body language, voice, everything shifts so you instantly know which character he is.”
The show also incorporates elements of puppetry, including a shadow puppet used for the climactic moment when the mouse tricks the Gruffalo’s child into believing the Big Bad Mouse is real. “The Gruffalo itself is also partly a puppet,” Flynn added. “His lower half is puppeteered to make him look extra big, which makes the Gruffalo’s child seem even smaller when she sits on his lap.”
More Than Just a Lesson
While The Gruffalo’s Child carries themes of wit triumphing over strength, Flynn emphasizes that the goal isn’t just to teach children a lesson. “We don’t necessarily approach it as, ‘What are the kids going to learn?’” she said. “It’s more about having fun, experiencing theatre, and seeing stories told in new ways. But yes, you do see that brains can be just as powerful as brawn.”
A Fun, Interactive Experience
One of the standout aspects of the production is its interactive nature, which draws from the British pantomime tradition. “The actors really engage with the audience,” Flynn said. “The kids clap along, shout things to the characters—it’s a really direct and fun relationship between the performers and the audience.”
With engaging storytelling, vibrant performances, and a touch of theatrical magic, The Gruffalo’s Child is set to be a delightful experience for Winnipeg families.
The Gruffalo’s Child runs at MTYP from March 21 to 30. For more details, visit mtyp.ca