Julia Donaldson News

MAST Mayflower Studios - Southampton’s ‘new’ theatre in the heart of the city - will launch two new musicals as part of its 2021 season. Tokyo Rose opens at MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton from 16 - 18 September, prior to a run at Southwark Playhouse and a national tour.

What the Ladybird Heard was first brought to the West End in 2017, marking a theatrical perch for the hugely popular sequence of picture books created by the writer Julia Donaldson and the illustrator Lydia Monks. The stage adaptation is back on the West End this summer to be followed by a UK tour, with Monks once more on board as design consultant. The bestselling illustrator discusses what it has been like to bring her creations to three-dimensional life.

Alongside the shows, the theatre is also running puppetry projects with partnership organisations including Solace Women's Aid, Age UK and Islington Council, as well as working with local food banks to support their work and provide enrichment activities for their beneficiaries. 

Little Angel Theatre has announced its summer season as their 60th anniversary year continues.  

Bringing the farmyard to life will be Nikita Johal (Spring Awakening, Hope Mill), Roddy Lynch (A Christmas Carol, Theatre Royal Bath), James Mateo-Salt (The Pirate Queen, London Coliseum), Matthew McPherson (The Jolly Christmas Postman, Oxford Playhouse), and Abigail Middleton (Pig, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool). Showcasing live instrumental music, original songs, puppetry and rhymes galore this exciting adaptation is a treat for the whole family. 

Recently awarded the prestigious British Book Award – Children's Book of the Year (Illustrated and Non-fiction), this joyous story of two star-crossed aliens on a far-off planet is being developed and previewed at Tall Stories' new studio space at Central Library, Islington before receiving its world premiere at the ROSE THEATRE in Kingston-upon-Thames, from 27 to 31 October 2021.

Under Haydon's stewardship, the Rose's own work will be the priority, as demonstrated by the five Rose Originals in this upcoming season, but there will always be room on the theatre's stage for the country's leading touring shows as well.  This season's Rose Originals are a blend of new plays tackling significant contemporary issues and well-known titles reinvented for today.

New production images are today released for the brand-new musical adaptation of  Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story The Smartest Giant in Town, published by Macmillan Children’s Books. 

The Snail and the Whale is a heart-warming adventure for everyone aged four and up, from Tall Stories, the Olivier Award-nominated company that brought The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom to the stage.

London Wonderground, the major new summer festival in Earls Court, on the former Earls Court 2 Exhibition Centre site, produced by Underbelly, today announces the first shows of its spectacular 2021 programme, which sees the very best in comedy, music, circus and family entertainment across its spectacular Big Top and the iconic upside-down purple cow, Udderbelly.

Zog is one of the best-loved creations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the UK's number one picture book pair behind many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which has been published in 75 languages. Together their books have sold over 75 million copies.

Rose Theatre has announced it is reopening its doors once again on 27 June 2021. Following three national lockdowns, the Rose is reopening to the public with a series of summer shows and events, including The International Youth Arts Festival by Creative Youth from 1 July 2021 and more.

The arts and education charity Play to the Crowd has today announced that Theatre Royal Winchester will re-open later this month with a plethora of socially distanced shows for audiences to enjoy.

Birmingham Hippodrome have announced three new productions for this Autumn with the ever-popular drag superstar Ceri Dupree's A Star Is Torn!!! (11 Sep), family favourite What the Ladybird Heard (16-18 Sep) and the smash-hit West End comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong (26-30 Oct).

Internationally acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories brings its celebrated production of 'The Gruffalo' to the beautiful Alexandra Palace Theatre for a limited summer season from 30 July - 29 August 2021.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre is preparing to welcome audiences back into the historic building from 24 June 2021 as part of an eclectic Summer season combining a return to live theatre, a continuation of innovative online events and an outdoor Pride celebration.

Little Angel Theatre will open its doors again to socially distanced audiences with a brand-new production based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved story The Smartest Giant in Town, published by Macmillan Children's Books. Co-produced with Fierylight, the new show is a highlight of Little Angel's 60th anniversary season and will run from 28 May - 8 August at Little Angel Studios. 

The Smartest Giant in Town, published by Macmillan Children's Books. Co-produced  with Fierylight, the new show is a highlight of Little Angel's 60th anniversary season and will run from 28 May - 8 August at Little Angel Studios.

From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, comes the stage show of the much-loved picture book What the Ladybird Heard. 

The Little Angel Theatre, tucked away in a charming corner of north London, celebrates 60 years this autumn, during which time it has achieved international prominence. Far from being defeated by the pandemic, Little Angel found a renewed footing across live and digital work and is looking forward to a festive birthday, as executive director Peta Swindall explains below.