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There’s no such thing as a bad outing with the Gruffalo!
The Gruffalo is back at the Athenaeum Theatre for the Autumn school holidays, and you and your children will absolutely love it.
Whether you’re one of the squillions who already love the Julia Donaldson book, or new to the party, this show combines a gripping story, a brave heroine, and a hilarious supporting cast.
From the moment the show starts our group of three little girls (aged 2 – 4) are completely hooked. Standing up on their tippy toes or kneeling up in their seats to get a better view of the stage, The Gruffalo delivers everything an excitable little person wants in a theatre show.
Jokes? Tonnes. Music? Throughout. Suspense and plenty of panto-style shouting at adults on stage? Totally.
In case you’ve not read The Gruffalo (and no judgment, because I hadn’t either) it follows the journey of a little mouse making her way through the forest. Along the way she meets a fox, an owl, and a snake; all of whom would very much like to make her part of their next meal. Each time the cunning little mouse outwits them, telling them that she’s off to meet her much scarier friend, the Gruffalo.
The mouse embellishes the scariness of the Gruffalo every time, with plenty of winks at the audience who get to shout out ‘There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo!’ once she’s seen off each potential predator. Each of these mouse-eating characters has a musical number; the Fox is a British country geezer (like a larrikin), the Owl is a military commander, and the Snake is a show-stealing Spanish flamenco diva. Like a one man Gypsy Kings tribute act, Snake thrills the kids and has the toe-tapping parents wishing there was a dancefloor nearby. Ole!
The show is loud, the audience is louder, and everyone has a great time. The children are so happy we are even able to whizz them past the merch table without too many emotional breakdowns, and quickly out into the sunshine.
The Gruffalo is playing at the Athenaeum Theatre, 9 – 14 April 2019. Buy tickets here or enter the giveaway for a chance to win tickets now!
Click here for more Autumn school holiday activities in Melbourne
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- If you have the book at home or at your local library, bring it along to read while you’re waiting for the show to start;
- The cafe next door to the theatre gets a little bit overwhelmed by caffeine-hungry parents, so if you’re running close to show time leave your coffee for afterwards;
- Bring a healthy snack for your little one so that they can eat this – otherwise they will insist on the lollies for sale at the bar!;
- The staff at the theatre are really kind, patient, and great at herding cats (I mean little people) into their seats;
- show goes for 55 minutes with no interval;
- suitable for kids 3+ years generally;
- It’s not clear whether there are any change facilities in the theatre. Fortunately I bring a changing mat and a blanket, as I end up changing my baby on the floor; and
- Straight after the show, head to Chinatown for yum cha or dumplings at Din Tai Fung or to the Artplay Playground at Birrarung Marr to let off some Gruffalo yells.
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