Monster hit children's show The Gruffalo heads to the North Island this winter
Thursday 7 July 2011, 1:07PM
By SWPR
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MEDIA RELEASE
Christine Dunstan presents a Tall Stories Production of THE GRUFFALO RETURNS TO THE NORTH ISLAND
“exudes charm, fun and a winning simplicity” – Dominion Post
The West End production of the monster hit children’s tale The Gruffalo returns to New Zealand’s North Island this August and September for an extensive 12 centre tour.
Whether their favourite food is roasted fox, owl ice cream, scrambled snake or Gruffalo crumble, audiences eat up this delectable tale about the adventures of a clever little mouse in a forest full of predators.
The Gruffalo opens at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on Saturday 13 August, before heading to Whangarei, Kerikeri, Tauranga, back to Auckland for West Auckland’s Going West Books and Writers Festival 2011 and to show at Manukau’s Telstra Clear Pacific Centre, then on to Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North.
London’s Tall Stories Theatre Company have toured in Britain, Europe, America and beyond with this transformation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story and the show has been an even bigger hit in Australia, with sold-out seasons and a prestigious 2009 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children.
Adapted from the Gold Award-winning children's book, The Gruffalo follows Mouse into the deep dark wood on a lunchtime hunt for hazelnuts. Armed with just a nut map and a very vivid imagination, Mouse runs into the smirking, wheeler-dealer Fox; an eccentric, retired Woodland Air Force General Owl; and the maraca-shaking, party animal Snake.
Rather than becoming the main course of their next meal, Mouse kills their appetites with stories of an imaginary monster friend. Little does this clever critter know but Mouse will have to escape the jaws of this faux protector as well.
In a production that has become the toast of London’s West End, Tall Stories vibrantly reinvents this delightful tale through its signature style of bold, multifaceted storytelling.
This triumphant trio of performers fill the forest with colourful characters and toe tapping, sing-along songs capturing the magic of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s adored modern classic
“The cast of three bring the story to wonderful life ... an irresistibly charming tale told with refreshing simplicity” – The Times (London)
"funny, charming and smart... brings the house down" – Sydney Morning Herald
“This whimsical, imaginative show is pitched at just the right level ... clever storytelling ... enchanting characterisation ... a rare treat that really is for all the family” – The Scotsman
The Gruffalo is at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna on 13-16 August, Whangarei’s Forum North on 17 August, Kerikeri’s The Centre on 18 August, Auckland’s Glen Eden Playhouse, Glen Eden on 20th and 22nd August, Auckland’s Telstra Clear Pacific Centre, Manukau on 23 August, Tauranga’s Baycourt Community and Arts Centre on 27-28 August, Rotorua’s Civic Theatre on 30 August, Taupo’s Great Lake Centre on 31 August, Hamilton’s Founders Theatre on 2-3 September, New Plymouth’s Theatre Royal on 6 September, Napier’s Municipal Theatre on 8 September, Palmerston North’s Regent on Broadway on 10 September.
For bookings or more information visit www.gruffalo.co.nz
ENDS
For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Safia van der Zwan | SWPR | 021 410 318 | safia@swpr.co.nz
2011 NEW ZEALAND TOUR
North Island Tour
Auckland (North Shore): Bruce Mason Centre | 13 – 16 August | Book at Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Whangarei: Forum North | Wednesday 17 August | Book at Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz
Kerikeri: The Centre at Kerikeri | Thursday 18 August | Book at www.centakeri.com or phone (09) 407 0260
Auckland (Glen Eden): Glen Eden Playhouse | 20 – 22 August | Book at Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Auckland (South): TelstraClear Pacific | Tuesday 23 August | Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Tauranga: Baycourt Theatre | 27 – 28 August |Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Rotorua: Civic Theatre | Tuesday 30 August | Book at Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Taupo: Great Lake Centre | Wednesday 31 August | Book at Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz
Hamilton: Founders Theatre | 2 – 3 September | Book at Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz
New Plymouth: Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace | Tuesday 6 September | | Book at Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Napier: Municipal Theatre | Thursday 8 September | Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Palmerston North: Regent on Broadway | Saturday 10 September | Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz