Tall Stories was founded in 1997 by Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, who are still joint artistic directors.
1997
The company devised two shows, which set off to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Alice and Mr Dodgson
‘Alice and Mr Dodgson is a touching and exquisitely crafted celebration of the unique relationship between Alice Liddell and Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)’ The Scotsman
Alice and Mr Dodgson played to full houses and all ages at the 1997 Edinburgh Festival Fringe (and returned there in 1998), as well as performing at Battersea Arts Centre and the Bull Arts Centre, Barnet.
The Happy Prince and Other Stories
‘Three stories by Oscar Wilde are lovingly and sensitively presented here… The beauty of the imagery would be difficult to surpass… An exquisite way to break your heart.’ The Scotsman
The Happy Prince played to full houses at the 1997 Edinburgh Festival before appearing at the Bull Arts Centre, Barnet.
1998
The company took four shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. ‘Alice and Mr Dodgson’ returned, alongside ‘Rumpelstiltskin’; and two shows for grown-ups, ‘X’ and ‘VMW’ (both of which went on to perform at London’s Etcetera Theatre).
Rumpelstiltskin
‘You might find yourself as likely to fight an adult as a child to this buzzing show which brings alive the power of this ambiguous, not to say amoral Grimm tale… Clever, witty and inventive, you honestly don’t need to take a child to enjoy it.’ The Scotsman
After premiering at the Fringe, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ embarked on a UK tour, as well as doing Xmas runs at the MacRobert Arts Centre (Stirling) and the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen).
1999
The company took two shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ‘Snow White’ and, for grown-ups, ‘The Truth’ (which went on to perform at London’s Etcetera Theatre).
Snow White
‘The three actors use an inspired mix of mime and song in this strongly visual production’ The Scotsman
Snow White went on to tour the UK (including the Royal National Theatre and the Scottish International Children’s festival). It also toured abroad over the next few years, including a Canadian tour and a US Tour (including Broadway in February 2003).
2001
After taking a millennial break, the company produced its first show for ages 3+. The tour started at Chester Gateway in May and went on to sell out completely at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival…
The Gruffalo
Adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
‘It is a rare treat to find a show that really is for all the family, but this is one which cannot be commended enough for its spot-on achievements.’ The Scotsman
‘The Gruffalo’ went on to perform at the Scottish International Children’s Festival, the Royal National Theatre, London’s West End (3 years), north America (including Broadway in spring 2004), Poland, Chile, Dubai, Singapore, China and Taiwan. It is still touring nationally and internationally. The production was also filmed for video/dvd, and was released in 2002.
2002
Tall Stories moved into offices in Finchley Progressive Synagogue, north London. The company employed an administrator for the first time, Caroline Beckman. ‘The Gruffalo’ returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, alongside a new show adapted from another picture book.
Something Else
Adapted from the award-winning picture book by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell
‘Something Else is something very special indeed’ The List
The show performed to sell out houses at the Komedia, Brighton over Xmas, followed by a South East tour. The show toured nationally in 2003, and performed over Xmas 2003 in London’s West End.
2003
Caroline left and Sinead Mac Manus took over as administrator. For the first time the company created a show from scratch, with no source material. It premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, alongside the return of ‘Something Else’.
Mum and the Monster
Adapted by the company from a story by Toby Mitchell
‘One of the most adventurous pieces of children’s theatre for some time…’ Scotland on Sunday
Created via workshops with schoolchildren in Barnet and other London boroughs. The show toured nationally in October/November 2003 and Feb/March 2004.
2004
Caroline Beckman returned as administrator.
The Owl and the Pussycat
‘A wonderful piece of children’s theatre’ Edinburgh Evening News
The Owl and the Pussycat opened on April 16th 2004 and toured nationally until the end of March 2005, performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and for Xmas seasons at Norden Farm in Maidenhead and Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham.
2005
Lucy Atkinson started as admin assistant. When Caroline left, Lucy was promoted to administrator. The company produced two new shows.
Them With Tails
A co-production with Network of Stuff Theatre
‘A brilliant, brilliant show… If ‘Them With Tails’ were any more fun it would probably be outlawed… This consummate family show is an absolute delight.’ Three Weeks
‘Them With Tails’ opened in April 2005 and toured until December 2006. It also performed as part of the Scottish International Children’s Festival.
The Snow Dragon
Adapted from a story by Toby Mitchell
‘If you are a kid, if you have kids, if you ever were a kid, go and see ‘The Snow Dragon’. This show is a must…’ Three Weeks
The show opened in 2005 and performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before embarking on a national and international tour. The show has performed for Xmas runs in London’s West End, at Norden Farm Arts Centre in Maidenhead and MacRobert Arts Centre in Stirling. It has also toured north America twice.
2006
The company moved into a new home – the Compass Theatre in Ickenham, north-west London, from where it produced two new shows.
The Gruffalo’s Child
Adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
‘Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 4 and up, and their adults… Perfect’ Time Out
Premiered at Polka Theatre, London in October 2005. The show toured nationally for two years including Xmas runs at Norden Farm, Warwick Arts Centre, the Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton and in London’s West End.
Cat and No Mouse
Adpated from the Brothers Grimm
‘A fun 50 minutes of Tom and Jerry-style slapstick and Morecambe and Wise-esque one-upmanship… A wholly enjoyable way to start your Fringe day’ The List
‘Cat and No Mouse’ premiered at ArtsDepot, Finchley, and ran at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007, presented by Serious Comedy.
2007
Siobhan Higgins joined the company as admin assistant. Lucy moved on to the Roundhouse in Camden. To celebrate its tenth birthday, the company premiered two brand new shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Monster Hits
‘Stop right there! Now turn and run – don’t stop until you’ve got your mitts on a 24-carat ticket for ‘Monster Hits’. There aren’t enough superlatives to express the sheer unbelievable, amazing, wonderful spectacularness of this show.’ Three Weeks
‘Monster Hits’ toured nationally from October to December 2007. It performed under the title ‘William’s Monster’ at Chelsea Theatre in Xmas 2008.
Does a Monster live Next Door?
‘The well-regarded Tall Stories’ latest play finds its strength in the way it deals with an adult subject in a way children can understand. A little poignant for adults, it must seem heartbreaking and epically hopeful to the audience it’s aimed at. This show raises the bar by dealing with bereavement.’ The Scotsman
‘Does a Monster live Next Door?’ toured nationally in spring 2008.
2008
Siobhan was promoted to administrator. The company became a registered charity. For the first time, the company produced a show inspired by fact as well as fiction. The company also produced its third show based on a Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler book.
How the Giraffe got its Neck
A collaboration with the Natural History Museum, inspired by Charles Darwin and Rudyard Kipling
This show opened in April 2008, before starting a national tour, including a run at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. On Darwin Day 2009 it performed at the Natural History Museum as part of the Darwin 200 celebrations.
Room on the Broom
Adapted from the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
The show previewed at the Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead in November 2008, performed at Norden Farm Arts Centre over Xmas 2008 and toured the UK in spring/summer 2009 and the US in autumn 2009.
2009
Lisa McLean joined Tall Stories as administrative assistant. The company continued its tours of ‘How the Giraffe got its Neck’ and ‘Room on the Broom’ (which sold out Pleasance One at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe). In September, the company waved goodbye to the Compass Theatre (its home of three and a half years) and moved into its new home, the Institute Arts Centre in East Finchley.
2010
Twinkle Twonkle
Inspired by Mother Goose and the Big Bang
Now in development, Tall Stories’ latest show tours from spring 2010.