YOU cannot underestimate how monstrously popular The Gruffalo has become. From the droves of families flocking to the Gruffalo Trail at Moors Valley Country Park to the packed audience at the Lighthouse.

Instantly recognisable, the iconic characters of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler books have become the beastly stars of children’s literature across the world.

So it was to be expected that the Tall Stories Theatre Company adapted this latest instalment for the stage, as they had the original Gruffalo and Room on the Broom with such winning results.

This was no mean feat, adapting a five minute story and producing an enthralling 55-minute play. The production proved to be entertaining not just for the children who were happy to sing and clap along, but with a knowing wink for the adults from the energetic trio on stage.

Practically all the text from the book is used as the framework for the show and this is expanded wonderfully by a collection of catchy songs and snappy dialogue that very much keeps the spirit and feel of the book.

For example, each animal is given new character dimensions, resulting in a spangled silver jacket wearing snake of Hispanic descent, who likes to dance, a wheeler dealer fox in trilby and rain mac and an owl resembling a bumbling old RAF wing commander.

Despite the high-tempo performance, it’s ultimately the timeless storyline that emerges as the real star.

As the baby Gruffalo ventures into the dark woods to meet this collection of colourful creatures, despite the warnings of his dad, who long ago, met a very scary mouse...