Tall Stories
The Gruffalo
Christmas at Warwick Arts Centre
Mon 13 Dec 2010 - Sun 2 Jan 2011
Theatre £11.50, children £9.50
Production Company: Tall Stories
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CloseJoin Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood… meet a wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl, a maraca-shaking, party-mad Snake! Mouse can scare these hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined…?
The award-winning book was recently voted the nation’s number one bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners and even hit the small screens on Christmas Day in a star-studded TV adaptation on BBC1!
“A fine piece of children’s theatre.” The Sunday Times
“Monstrous fun!” The Daily Mail
“Irresistibly charming.” The Times
Ages: 3+
Running Time: 55 mins
Dates & Times
| Mon 13 Dec | Theatre | 10:30am | ||
| Mon 13 Dec | Theatre | 1:30pm | ||
| Tue 14 Dec | Theatre | 10:30am | ||
| Tue 14 Dec | Theatre | 1:30pm | ||
| Wed 15 Dec | Theatre | 10:30am | ||
| Wed 15 Dec | Theatre | 1:30pm | ||
| Thu 16 Dec | Theatre | 10:30am | ||
| Thu 16 Dec | Theatre | 1:30pm | ||
| Sat 18 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Sat 18 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Sun 19 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Sun 19 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Tue 21 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Tue 21 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Wed 22 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Wed 22 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Thu 23 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Thu 23 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Fri 24 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Fri 24 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Tue 28 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Tue 28 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Wed 29 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Wed 29 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Thu 30 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Thu 30 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Fri 31 Dec | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Fri 31 Dec | Theatre | 2:00pm | ||
| Sun 2 Jan | Theatre | 11:00am | ||
| Sun 2 Jan | Theatre | 2:00pm |
Theatre
Seating up to 550, audiences are assured of an excellent view of the stage and comfortable seating in this well-designed auditorium. The theatre stages the best national and international plays and performances, as well as contemporary and international dance, music and comedians.
36 Comments
how do i book this if my chosen date and preferred seat row does not fit exactly with the numbers of seats with the row (ie i extra seat than needed for my family) A prompt message comes up about not leaving isolated seats in rows yet quite clearly other rows had single remaining isolated seats which is why i went for a block in another row!! The alternative options were at the side or miles back, not ideal for wriggling children. Very disappointed that i could not therefore book on line this eve. Please advise what to do
a frost at 9:09pm on Sun 17th Oct 2010
As the person above me says, your booking system is absolutely abysmal. I know from other comments that you seem to have had complaints about it for some time now, are you actually doing anything to sort it out?
Frustrated at 1:01am on Sat 23rd Oct 2010
We are aware of some of the issues associated with our online booking system and have been working closely with the system providers for some time to rectify these issues. Many things have been improved and are now working as they should and we are working hard to resolve other areas.
We do rely on customers' feedback, as well as our own testing, and appreciate you taking the time to comment. It would be really helpful if you could give us more specific information about the issue that you are having to allow us to investigate the problem.
Please do either send an email to the address below: arts.centre@warwick.ac.uk or call the Box Office team during opening hours to let us know what the problem is.
Again - thank you for taking the time to comment
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 11:03am on Sat 23rd Oct 2010
Hi there, we have bkd 10 seats for The Gruffalo on Tues 21st Dec at 11am for our daughters bday. Would you please let me know the approximate duration of the show. Many thanks
Claire Howson at 7:06pm on Sun 31st Oct 2010
Hi Claire
The Gruffalo is 55 minutes long.
Best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 7:26pm on Sun 31st Oct 2010
Hi
Is this really unsuitable for children under 3? My little boy is 21 months. Thanks
Sara at 5:27pm on Mon 15th Nov 2010
Hi Sara
Whilst nothing in The Gruffalo is unsuitable for under 3s, we are aware that smaller children often are not used to sitting through an hour long theatre performance or may be frightened by the live nature of the performance.
We are suggesting 3+ purely as a guide.
Hope this helps
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 5:49pm on Mon 15th Nov 2010
Both my husband and I would like to bring our 4 year old son, however we have a 21 month old that we want to bring too, would we be able to do this and would we have to pay full price for him if he sat on a lap?
Many thanks
Krissy at 9:06pm on Thu 25th Nov 2010
Hi Krissy
For under 2 year-olds we issue 'Baby Passes' - this means that the child has a ticket (so that we can account for everyone in the auditorium) but it is FREE and allows the child to sit on the parents lap.
Please call our Box Office team on 024 7652 4524 and they can arrange this along with the rest of your booking.
With best wishes
Julia
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 9:51am on Fri 26th Nov 2010
I agree with the comments at the top, your online booking system is painful and primitive, and certainly not befitting of a well known arts centre. Couldn't book the seats I wanted for the same reason as the first poster, then the site kept informing me I had entered incorrect card details before even taking me to the required page. And then of course there is the quiet addition of the ever mysterious "commission fee" at the end...
Steph at 9:04pm on Wed 8th Dec 2010
Please help me! I live in Welwyn Garden City and booked 2 adult tickets and one child for the gruffalo show at 11:00 am on 31st Dec 2010 without adequate geographical knowledge (literally just mins ago). Please can I have this refunded as now I have come to know that it is a good nearly 2 hrs drive, which could be even more with the wintry weather condition. Or could you suggest any alternative nearabouts where I live.Please help me--
suzanna at 12:38am on Fri 10th Dec 2010
Hi Suzanna
We have received your message and someone from our Box Office team will contact you directly.
Best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 2:58pm on Fri 10th Dec 2010
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in the strongest possible terms regarding your prices for children. Just two pounds off an adult's price; it is outrageous. Children should be half price at least. I have a number of grandchildren who would benefit enormously from seeing this show, but at those prices, no chance. I know it's too late to change matters now, but maybe, just maybe, your rationale might change in the future, and that applies to all future productions that rip off the younger generation. Sincerely yours
Mr J.Everiss at 2:58pm on Mon 13th Dec 2010
Dear Mr Everiss
Thank you for your comments on our pricing for this show. We give a great deal of thought to our pricing and try to ensure that visits to see our shows are as accessible as possible for families. We are aware that often, family groups for our Christmas shows consist of a greater number of adults than children. Consequently, and in line with many other arts organisations in the region, we choose to keep the adult price as low as possible with a smaller reduction for children. Overall our prices are at least on a par, if not lower than other Christmas shows in the region.
We value our family audiences and encourage parents and grandparents to bring young people to engage with and participate in arts activities at Warwick Arts Centre. We provide a full programme of events throughout the year, often with children's tickets at just £6 for a theatre event, £2.50 for our Family Film events and £3.50 for our Family Art Workshops.
I do hope that you and your grandchildren can join us at Warwick Arts Centre for some of our forthcoming events.
With best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 4:11pm on Mon 13th Dec 2010
If children paid half the adult's price, you would get more children watching these kind of shows, and I presume that children are whom this show is aimed at? What about children old enough to buy tickets, who don't require parental control? How do they afford nearly a tenner for a seat? At these kind of shows,you should be encouraging children to outnumber adults, considerably. I expect financially, you're not bothered as long as every seat is filled. But if there are any empty seats at any performance, consider your overpriced children's seats as a feasible reason why. You are not the first company that I've complained to, and current trends suggest you won't be the last. Half-price seats for kids? Worth debating I'd say. Yours sincerely, a loving grandfather on limited means.
Mr J.Everiss at 3:23pm on Tue 14th Dec 2010
Hello i am bringing my son to see The Gruffalo on sunday and i wondered whether there would be Gruffalo merchandise to purchase when we are there
Many Thanks
Yvette
Mrs Bousfield at 8:26pm on Wed 15th Dec 2010
Hello Mrs Bousfield,
There will be a range of The Gruffalo merchandise to purchase.
best wishes,
Laura, Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Laura Kennell at 3:52pm on Thu 16th Dec 2010
Re pricing, yes it's expensive BUT not outrageous compared with panto etc and again our local panto give even less reduction for a child seat. Our previous visits to the Wiggles & alike again didn't discount for children so sadly I think this is just the 'going rate' for theatre / shows children or not.
Jo Squires at 5:16pm on Fri 17th Dec 2010
Hi Team
Given today's bad weather in the Midlands and the forecast for it to continue over the next few days, are all your Gruffalo performances going ahead tomorrow?
The advice is not to travel unless totally necessary. So, whilst my children are very excited about the show and will surely be very upset to miss the performance, an hour's journey (if not longer) in this bad weather does not seem feasible now. Especially as I cannot even get off our drive!
Will you provide refunds or alternative dates for people who have booked, but now cannot attend tomorrow's (Sunday's) performance due to the bad weather?
Manjit at 8:31pm on Sat 18th Dec 2010
Due to the closure of the m5 we are unable to reach the venue tomorrow. Are we able to reschedule our attendance at the performance (sunday). Also i paid the full price for a child's ticket but have learned from the messages above that under two's can go free. Can i get a refund? I can find no option for an under two's ticket on the booking system!
Lianne at 8:40pm on Sat 18th Dec 2010
Hi,
To reiterate the previous comments could you please provide some guidance as to whether today’s performance of the Gruffalo will be taking place, taking into account the current weather conditions.
Many thanks
Alex McNaughton at 9:46am on Sun 19th Dec 2010
Hi i contacted you yesterday to inform you we were snowed in and asked for a reschedule or credit note. I was told to ring back at 10am this morning. I have done so, only to find out that your box office is closed?? Our performance is 11am ! Please could someone contact me to discuss. A friend rang last night and has been promised a credit note. could you please clarify the situation with me via email.many thanks
catherine leaver at 10:08am on Sun 19th Dec 2010
Hi, I wrote earlier and despite continually trying your phone lines, have yet to to obtain a response. It appears your News page has been up-dated to say that all shows are running as planned today, is this correct? We have tickets booked for the 2pm showing this afternoon and planned to bring three children for our daughters' birthday - given the local weather conditions and advice to avoid non-essential journies, I am not prepared to risk bringing three young children out on what would be a treacherous journey - please can someone contact me to further discuss. Thank you.
Alex McNaughton at 11:04am on Sun 19th Dec 2010
All performances of The Gruffalo went ahead over the weekend and are planned to go ahead today. We will keep the front page of the website up-to-date to inform customers of any changes.
If you have any queries, please do contact our Box Office team on 024 7652 4524. As I'm sure you can appreciate, they are very busy and are trying to speak to customers as quickly as possible so please be patient if you are kept waiting for a little while.
Best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 11:18am on Mon 20th Dec 2010
Hi Team
Your update is a bit late for most of the possible weekend attendees as it seems a little facile to NOW confirm that the performances went ahead over the weekend. It would have been more appropriate and efficent to have known in advance.
In addition, I have not heard from you, so I assume you are in the process of refunding or providing credit notes for those unable to attend due to bad weather and motorway closures.
I note from previous comments, that some people have already been promised credit notes - does that apply to all? I have given up calling as I have tried unsuccessfully for a while to get through and cannot waste hours waiting.
Please respond via email. Thank you for your help.
Manjit at 4:03pm on Mon 20th Dec 2010
Dear Manjit
The front page of the website was updated over the weekend to let customers know that performances were going ahead as scheduled (as it has been today - and we will continue to update it throughout the week). I was just re-iterating the point today.
I will ask a member of our Box Office team to email you directly in regard to your other query.
Best wishes
Julia
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 4:07pm on Mon 20th Dec 2010
To clarify the position on credit, following on from some of the previous comments on this thread, our terms and conditions are as follows:
Tickets can be exchanged for another performance or for a credit voucher valid for 90 days. To take advantage of this service, you must return your original tickets to the Box Office at least 24 hours before the performance (14 days for group bookings). There is an administration fee of £2 per ticket.
To see full terms and conditions, please visit: http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/visit/how-to-book/
Our Box Office team will be happy to assist with any other queries.
Best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 6:10pm on Mon 20th Dec 2010
Hi
It says on the home page that the show is still going ahead today. I presume that was posted before the blizzard we just had. Is it still going ahead now?
Thanks
Natalie
Natalie at 10:55am on Wed 22nd Dec 2010
The shows are going ahead today as planned. If you are having difficulties in your area, please call our Box Office team on 024 7652 4524 who can advise.
Best wishes
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 11:08am on Wed 22nd Dec 2010
We've got our son coming tomorrow, is it really as bad as the trailer as it appears a cheap poorly constructed production not suited to kids
richard at 9:49am on Tue 28th Dec 2010
What a shambles! Is there no common sense?!
Having booked tickets for the show last Wednesday we were obviously very excited. Imagine our disappointment at the weather conditions we woke to on the morning. We were literally unable to get out of our village due to the amount of snow. On ringing the box office to explain we were told it was fine to exchange the dates but we would have to PAY AN ADMIN FEE of £2 per ticket!!!! How ridiculous! Through no fault of our own, and probably not the only ones that morning, we now have to pay extra. Is there no bad weather contingency?? Surely as a one off this fee could be overlooked considering the extreme weather we were enduring at the time??
Having made a little fuss the Finance manager rang back to clarify matters. To say this phonecall was disappointing is an understatement! I was told I should feel fortunate that the tickets were exchanged at such short notice anyway! Possibly the worst customer service I have ever experienced!
How is my admin fee used anyway? All that was done was a re-arrangement for another day, a two second job over the phone?!
In conclusion, the first and DEFINATELY the last time I will ever use Warwick Arts Centre again, how disappointing!
Mr R Hall at 7:10pm on Tue 28th Dec 2010
What a fabulous show! I took my husband and 2 children (7 & 2yrs) and it was amazing. Interaction with the audience was great and encouraged, actors played each character very well. The ticket prices were reasonable and length of the show just right. My boys didn't move from their seats! Thank you for a very entertaining show.
Mrs S Hall at 8:37am on Wed 29th Dec 2010
can I re-arrange a 11 clock reserved seats to 2pm (if there is availability?
Ms Suban at 9:07pm on Wed 29th Dec 2010
What a wonderful treat the show was for my son and niece (and for me and my mum, come to that!). We were all entranced and highly entertained. I have to admit to an uncontrollable urge to join in with the audience participation so I did, but only for my son's benefit, you understand!!!!! I noticed the DVD of the performance for sale, but have only just considered it as a superb birthday present for my niece in 2 weeks time. Is there any way I can order it to be delivered? I live in East Anglia so it is a little far to drive! Many thanks for any advice you can offer.
Sarah Bradford at 9:24pm on Fri 14th Jan 2011
Hello Sarah,
I'm afraid we didn't have any DVDs on sale at The Gruffalo performances as part of our merchandise.
There were signs saying DVDs available but these would be relating to the BBC animated version.
thanks,
Laura, Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Laura Kennell at 5:59pm on Mon 17th Jan 2011
This is inappropriate. It supports lying. I would never recomend this for any child. Wish I had known that before I let my 7 year old watch it!
Yes it's pretty and nice, but do you want your child to learn that lying is ok?
William Johnson at 5:11pm on Thu 9th Jun 2011