"The Gruffalo' to premiere at the upcoming fringe

THE Gruffalo is coming to South Africa. The National Arts Festival has announced that it is producing Tall Stories’ hit musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Originating in the UK, this enchanting production combining songs, laughter and storytelling theatre will premiere here as part of the Cape Town Fringe in September with an all-Grahamstown cast. Set to a catchy score with original music and lyrics, the local production will be directed by Tara Notcutt and will feature all the characters, songs and storyline from the smash hit West End production, with a uniquely local feel. “The next stage of the production’s life will be an isiXhosa version in early 2017. Meanwhile we’re casting the production, building the sets and making the costumes entirely in Grahamstown as part of the Festival’s ‘Creative City’ partnership,” Notcutt said. - Staff Writer