First live stage production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Smeds And The Smoos

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling picture book The Smeds And The Smoos will be brought to life on stage in a major new touring production created by award-winning theatre company Tall Stories.

Developed and previewed at Tall Stories’ new studio space at Central Library in Islington, the fifth Tall Stories’ theatre production to be based on the much-loved work of Donaldson and Scheffler will receive its world premiere at the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames from 27 to 31 October. The production will then embark on a 2021/2022 tour which will include a Christmas season at Leicester Curve (30 November 2021 until 9 January 2022). All touring dates will be announced soon.

Commenting on the stage version of the tale of two star-crossed aliens which was recently awarded the prestigious British Book Award – Children’s Book of the Year (Illustrated and Non-fiction), Donaldson said: “It’s a whole 20 years since Tall Stories brought The Gruffalo to the stage, and it’s been brilliant that since then they’ve also successfully adapted The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the Whale. So I’m thrilled that the company is now developing The Smeds And The Smoos, with its cast of aliens and its Romeo-and-Juliet-type plot (except that my story has a happy ending). I can’t wait to see the show, and I bet everyone’s going to love it!”

Scheffler added: “I’m excited that Tall Stories will be bringing The Smeds And The Smoos to the stage this year. Bill and Janet’s alien adventure feels very timely, as it’s a tale about unity and we have all felt isolated over the last year. Tall Stories have the challenge of creating lots of different alien species on stage – and I can’t wait to see how they bring the book to life.”

Created in Tall Stories’ signature physical storytelling style with original music and songs by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw, The Smeds And The Smoos will be directed by Tall Stories’ artistic director Toby Mitchell. The creative team for the production also includes movement director Morag Cross, set and costume designer Barney George and lighting designer Peter Harrison.

The Smeds And The Smoos was published by Alison Green Books (an imprint of Scholastic) in September 2019 and quickly became the bestselling new picture book of the year.

Co-founded in 1997 by Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, Tall Stories has staged 30 productions in five languages, in 15 countries, over six continents. Tall Stories is currently touring The Snail and the Whale to venues across the country until August and will also be performing The Gruffalo at Alexandra Palace in London from 30 July until 29 August.

Angela Thomas