Picture: Ellie Kurttz
The hit family-friendly musical version of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling picture book The Smartest Giant in Town will take to the road for its first UK tour in 2022.
Following a critically-acclaimed run at London’s Little Angel Theatre in the summer, producers Fierylight and Little Angel Theatre will take the crowd-pleasing show on the road from 9 February until 1 May 2022.
Commenting on the stage version of the book which will celebrate 20 years since it was first published in early 2022, Donaldson said: “I wrote The Smartest Giant in Town 20 years ago but the theme of generosity and kindness seems just as relevant today. The story really comes to life in Little Angel’s adaptation, which is also very faithful to Axel Scheffler’s brilliant illustrations.
“I saw the show last summer and the whole audience – including me – love the puppets and enjoyed the songs. I’m so pleased that now more children around the country will be able to experience live theatre as the show goes on tour.”
Scheffler added: “I am very fond of George the giant and his friends in The Smartest Giant in Town; I enjoyed creating his world with its mix of town and countryside, and range of animal characters in a place where everyone lives together harmoniously. The creative team at Little Angel with Fierylight has brought my artwork to life in 3D in a brilliant way and their production is great fun. I really recommend it.”
Adapted and directed for the stage by Little Angel artistic director Samantha Lane and award-winning musician Barb Jungr who also composed new music for the production, the creative team for The Smartest Giant in Town also includes set and costume designer Kate Bunce, puppet designer Judith Hope and lighting design by Sherry Coenen.
The tour will launch at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking from 9-12 February 2022 before visiting The Lowry in Salford (14-19 February), the Swan Theatre, Worcester (22-23 February), the Corn Exchange, Newbury (25-27 February), Grimsby Auditorium, Grimsby (1-2 March), Birmingham Town Hall (5 March), The Spotlight, Broxbourne (6-7 March), Lanark Memorial Hall, Lanark (10-11 March), Horse Cross Theatre, Perth (12-13 March), Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle (14-15 March), The Maltings, Berwick-Upon-Tweed (17 March), Blackheath Halls, London (19-20 March), Redgrave Theatre, Bristol (23-24 March), Lichfield Garrick, Lichfield (26-27 March), the artsdepot, London (2-5 April), Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (7-9 April), Brewhouse, Burton (11-13 April), Norwich Theatre Playhouse, Norwich (16-18 April), Torch Theatre, Pembrokeshire (23-24 April), Albert Hall, Wales (26 April) Uppingham Theatre, Rutland (28-29 April) and the Theatre Royal, Winchester (30 April -1 May).
Angel Theatre’s previous adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s picture books, include The Singing Mermaid and The Everywhere Bear.
Angela Thomas
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