The Gruffalo stage show is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and among its biggest fans are Prince William's children. The Prince of Wales previously said of the book, penned in 1999: “It’s a big hit in our household, The Gruffalo.”
A Royal Favourite
The Prince and Princess of Wales have long counted The Gruffalo among their children’s favourite bedtime stories. The royal couple have previously spoken about reading Julia Donaldson’s books with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, helping cement The Gruffalo as a modern children’s classic.
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s fearsome but lovable monster remains one of Britain’s greatest children’s success stories, adored by generations of families and celebrity parents alike.
A Quarter Century on Stage
Since premiering in 2001, Tall Stories’ adaptation has entertained more than three million people worldwide, making it one of the UK’s longest-running and most successful children’s theatre productions. Its enduring popularity lies in its simplicity. Rather than relying on spectacular special effects, the production uses puppetry, songs, humour and imaginative storytelling to recreate the magic of the bestselling book.
The story’s popularity exploded even further with the Oscar-nominated 2009 animated film, produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. Featuring an all-star cast including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, Rob Brydon, Tom Wilkinson and the late John Hurt as the Gruffalo, it has become essential Christmas viewing for millions of families.
Celebrity Fans and Lasting Appeal
Celebrity parents, including Stacey Solomon, Amanda Holden, Rochelle Humes, Billie Shepherd and Giovanna Fletcher, have also shared their children’s love of the famous story over the years, proving its appeal stretches far beyond the pages of a picture book.
Now, parents who grew up reading about Mouse’s walk through the deep dark wood are taking their own children to see the adventure brought to life on stage. The Gruffalo tells the story of a mouse taking a walk in a European forest and has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide.
As nostalgia continues to shape family entertainment, The Gruffalo remains a rare cultural phenomenon that has successfully bridged three generations through books, film and theatre. The anniversary production is now playing at London's Lyric Theatre until 6 September, then touring the UK until January 2027.
