Adapting a much-loved children’s bedtime story into a stage classic is no mean feat. This one succeeded in amusing, entertaining and enchanting.

Most of the young audience already knew the familiar plot. One or two really entered into the spirit by dressing as a member of the Gruffalo clan. Plenty more needed no second invitation when the actors asked them to join in with some of the narration, and they did so with great enthusiasm.

A sequel to The Gruffalo, the Tall Stories’ adaption tells the story of the Gruffalo’s daughter, played by Harriet Waters, who sets off into the woods in search of one very smart mouse, played by Samuel Tracy. 

She wants to find the wily rodent who her father, the Gruffalo, encountered in the original book. The mouse has taken on legendary status years later as a woodland creature to be feared, after outwitting all his hungry prey.

The energetic Maxwell Tyler seemingly had the most fun, managing quick costume changes to play first the hapless and noisily-snoring Gruffalo, before transforming into a party-loving snake, a brusque northern owl and wheeler dealer fox, who sounded like he was from London’s east end.

Gruffalo junior encounters all the animals in her search for the mouse, culminating in a memorable full moon rendezvous.

Tyler’s owl flying school, in which he got the audience flapping their wings, was a particular hit with our young theatre-goer. Although as the wily owl remarked to The Gruffalo’s Child, actually taking to the air would have to wait for a further lesson.  

Tyler clearly enjoyed throwing himself into these delightful caricatures. 

The mix of the familiar verses from the Julia Donaldson classic, peppered with catchy tunes (we were still singing on the way home) and simple but effective scenery and costumes made for a captivating 55 minutes.

The Donaldson magic lives on in theatre form.

The Gruffalo’s Child runs twice-daily (10:30am and 1pm) between now and November 26 at the Playhouse. Check availability as some performances are sold out. Tickets priced £12 to £14 per person. The performance is aimed at children aged three and over.

To find out about future events at Norwich Theatre’s venues go to https://norwichtheatre.org/