Customer Reviews

The Gruffalo [DVD]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took my then 2 year old daughter to see The Gruffalo on stage last summer, not really knowing what to expect. The story is wonderfully brought to life by a team of 3 actors who between them play the parts of the mouse, fox, owl, snake, Gruffalo and one (and sometimes two!) narrators. She loved it and pestered to see it again, right away.

Six months later we took her again and she loved it just as much ... and on that outing we discovered that the stage show is available on DVD. We are now on our second copy, having damaged/worn out the first.

The characters are played by actors so there is just a hint of who they are (for example, a furry cravat and tail for the fox) but it doesn't seem to bother the little ones. Each character has a great song - and the Gruffalo has two. With a running time of under an hour it is a great attention holder for the under 5's.

My only criticism is with the casting. The two productions I saw live had much better singers/actors in the parts. In particular the mouse on the DVD is neither as small nor as talented as the one we saw perform live. Hence the score of only 4 stars rather than 5.

One final point - This DVD is exactly the same as the one I purchased at the show which had a different cover. I'm not sure why it's called "2005" but if you already have a Gruffalo DVD then it's this one!

What an amazing DVD! My two year old daughter has been brought up on the books by Julia Donaldson, so she is very familiar with the Gruffalo.The DVD was an instant hit, the characters are so well crafted and together with the actors impecable timing, the story of the gruffalo comes to life. The story itself stays the same, but inorder to fill its 50 minute running time each of the animals are given a song to reflect their characters, watch out for the brave mouse, the cockney speaking Fox, Captain Owl, of the Woodlands Airforce and the salsa dancing Snake... oh and of course the star of the show The Gruffalo.

From start to finish this is a fantastic stage show, which works very well on DVD. My daughter and I love everything about it, so much so I have just ordered copies for everyone we know!

I must admit I was a little bit wary of getting this for my children, as I couldn't work out how you could make the story of the Gruffalo last long enough to make a stage show out of it. I needn't have worried as this is an excellent rendition of the book as a stage musical.

There is a cast of 3 - one as the mouse, one as most of the rest of the characters and finally one as the story teller/gruffalo. Each of the characters is brought to life through songs, which are simple enough for children to sing along with, and the characterisation of the animals is wonderfully done. The story never feels dragged out and the action never really stops until the closing credits. All the lines from the book are in there and if you have enjoyed reading the story to your children they will probably shout them out at the television.

I heartily recommend this to you 10/10

We borrowed this from the library and it was soon clear that we would have to buy our own copy as our daughter (age 3) just loves it.
The performers are excellent, the songs brilliant and the whole thing is a joy from start to finish. If your child loves the book, they will love this too!

This DVD is a filmed performance of the stage play The Gruffalo, based on the popular book by Julia Donaldson. If you haven't done so already, it is worth reading the book first and getting your children aquainted with the characters as it may be a little difficult to follow otherwise, because no money has been lavished on expensive costumes!

There are only 3 performers and the stage is sparse but the production is absolutely superb and probably better for it. The whole idea is to get the children to use their imagination and associate the book with what they are seeing unfold in front of them. For example, the mouse is simply dressed in a brown t-shirt, pedal pushers with pink trainers and looks (and acts) a bit like Bjork!

The story is faithfully followed and is stretched by six musical additions. The songs are catchy and instantly singable and reflect the characters beautifully. The Fox (Tweed jacket, flat cap and sideburns) performs a Madness-style bounce-around number, the Owl(Flying helmet and starched scarf) a regimental two-step and the Snake (Sombrero and fake moustache) an outrageous latin salsa.(All three, incidentally, played by the same actor).

The Gruffalo, when he finally appears, is as loveable a 'monster' that you are ever likely to meet and it is guaranteed that you will be hummming or singing one of his two songs long after the DVD is back in the box.

At only 50 minutes long (well would your kids sit still through anything longer in a theatre?) it is a tad expensive but even so, for entertainment and long-lasting appeal it is still worth every penny.

And go and see it live if you get the chance...

The Gruffalo is an absolutely wonderful story by Julia Donaldson, and the theatre production by Tall Stories theatre company is a marvellous tribute. If you haven't seen it you should! If you're unlucky enough not to be able to see it at the theatre, then buy this! Adults and children alike, laugh out loud at their favourite characters being brought to life. A must see.The Gruffalo

I have to admit to having a bit of a soft spot for this show. This was filmed at a play I took my then 3 year old son to - many years ago! Since then I have taken my two younger children to the same stage show, along with several outings to "The Gruffalo's Child". This DVD is the complete stage show, with songs and excellent characters. I think it must be the best adaptation of a children's book I have ever been to (and I've been to a few...). The Tall Stories Theatre Company are certainly the best of the bunch and this is their most successful show. I had to buy another copy of this DVD as the first one wore out, but it is a wonderful re-telling of the story. There is an audio version for the car if they like this.

I enjoyed the story when my own son now 22) was a little boy. I now enjoy the book and the DVD with my adopted son aged 3. Great entertainment and a great way of getting kids up and dancing and joining in, it's a lot of fun.

My 2 year old daughter is mad about the book so as a treat we thought we'd get her the DVD. She loves it! My only problem is I now find myself singing the songs at the oddest moments.

We love the dvd, having seen it at the theatre I immediately purchased the dvd. Am surprised at people saying animals should be dressed in animal costumes. Surely part of reading with a child (and this is an extension of that) is to stretch the imagination. The wat this was acted with just three characters was very smoothly done with no breaks. The animals were given fantastic personalities which appeal to adults and children alike. I highly recommend it to everyone I know and it has inspired me to have a Gruffalo party for my daughter's third birthday!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!