The Smeds and the Smoos stage adaption to tour across the UK

A new live stage adaptation of The Smeds and the Smoos is to tour across the country this autumn.

Tall Stories’ production based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book will open at Rose Theatre Kingston on 27 October.

Prior to that, the story of two star-crossed aliens on a far-off planet will be developed and previewed at Tall Stories’ new studio space at Central Library, Islington.

Following its run at Kingston, the autumn tour will continue regionally, with a Christmas run at Leicester Curve (30 Nov – 9 Jan 2022). The tour continues from January 2022, with all touring dates to be announced soon.

Julia Donaldson said: “It’s a whole twenty 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!”

Axel Scheffler said: “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.”

Alongside many other shows, Tall Stories has previously adapted four bestselling Donaldson/Scheffler books to great acclaim: The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, The Gruffalo’s Child And The Snail and The Whale.