We were invited to a review a performance of THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD. Once again Segerstrom Center for the Arts chose a wonderful play to introduce children to theater. THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD is adapted from the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and brought to the stage by London’s Tall Stories Theatre Company.

The Gruffalo’s Child. Copyright Tall Stories.

The story follows the daughter of the Gruffalo as she sets off into the deep dark woods even after her father’s many warnings never to set foot there. She goes on an adventure to meet the big bad Mouse her father is extremely afraid of. She follows the tracks of a fancy dressed snake, an owl, and a fox that she believes to be the big bad Mouse each time. Each animal convince her they know where the big bad Mouse is and gets her to follow. Finally, the child meets the little Mouse who tricks her into believing she is about to meet the big bad Mouse using her shadow. Scared of the big bad Mouse, the Gruffalo’s daughter runs back to her father’s cave where she feels safe in his arms.

Fun activity booklets before the show. Segerstrom Center.

The actors did a fabulous job at keeping the children’s attention by engaging them. The songs were catchy and the audience loved to clap along, count in Spanish with the snake, and repeat all the characteristics of the big bad Mouse (strong, long, eyes like balls of terrible fire, terrible whiskers tougher than wire). We had a wonderful time.

Segerstrom Center is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, California. For more information about upcoming shows, please visit their website at www.scfta.org.
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A review by Lett R. Lett is a SAHM of two who loves to cook, travel and volunteer at her kids’ schools. She is also a Girl Scout co-leader and a big fan of Broadway shows and romantic comedies.