Little Angel Theatre to reopen with new production of The Smartest Giant in Town

Little Angel Theatre is set to reopen its doors in May with a brand new production of The Smartest Giant in Town.

The London venue will welcome one of the first live shows for children following the closure of theatres last year.

Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic story, The Smartest Giant in Town has been adapted by Barb Jungr, who has also composed new music, and Samantha Lane, who also directs. Set and costumes are designed by Kate Bunce, puppets are designed by Judith Hope and lighting is designed by Sherry Coenen. The show will be co-produced Fierylight.

The piece will run from 28 May – 8 August at Little Angel Studios. Tickets will go on-sale on 12 May (subject to government guidelines) at littleangeltheatre.com.

Julia Donaldson said: “I am so pleased Little Angel Theatre is able to open its doors so soon after lockdown, welcoming back children and families to enjoy live performance again. It is such an important experience and we have badly missed it in the last year.

“Little Angel have done other wonderful adaptations of my stories, and I know that this will be just as special. To have ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’ as their first live show, with its themes of friendship and kindness, seems timely and I am sure everyone will enjoy it. I also want to congratulate the theatre on their 60th anniversary this year -what an achievement!”

Axel 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 and a place where everyone lives together harmoniously. I am looking forward to seeing it all now in 3D with the set and puppets; the creative team are really bringing it all to life in such a brilliant way. I am so pleased that families will have the chance to return to a theatre experience at the Little Angel Theatre and that this show will be part of the theatre’s 60th anniversary celebrations.”

Samantha Lane commented: “It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, with lots of stopping and starting and adjusting plans, and so I am very excited that we are finally going to open up properly to live audiences again. I am delighted that we are doing so with such an iconic, modern classic and that we are able to bring the joy of live theatre to children and their families once again.”

Picture: The Smartest Giant in Town (c) Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2002 – Macmillan Children’s Books