“A gruffalo? What’s a gruffalo?”
“A gruffalo! Why, didn’t you know?”
It is a rhyme memorised by so many children and adults alike that the beloved tale of The Gruffalo barely needs any introduction.
But audiences young and old will get to enjoy it all over again when a talented cast brings the story to life in a delightful performance in Batemans Bay later this year.
The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, is a classic children’s book.
A stage adaptation of the tale has had sell-out seasons around the globe, including London’s West End and Broadway, before returning to Australia and to the NSW South Coast.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s children’s services facilitator Jenny Hogg said it was rare to see a production of this quality in the region and while reading the book was a great experience, watching it brought to life in front of you was something else.
The Gruffalo tells the tale of a mouse armed only with her vivid imagination as she travels through the forest, meeting various villains along the way.
She scares off the fox, owl and snake – who would eat her – with stories of an imaginary monster friend. Until that monster comes to life.
Ms Hogg said it was a great story with a beautiful message.
“You might be little, but you can still be brave,” she said.
“This is the kind of story that gives children their voice, using their imagination to turn something scary into something clever.”
The Gruffalo is by CDP Theatre Producers and the performances in the Bay will be part of 2022 Children’s Week activities.
It will be performed at Bay Pavilions on 28 and 29 October. Bookings are essential online.