Don’t miss out on some fantastic theatre productions this Autumn. Four of Michael Morpurgo’s popular and critically acclaimed stories have been adapted for the stage and are touring over the coming months. To find out more and book tickets, visit our events page here.
Toro! Toro!
8th October – 27 November
Young Antonito lives an idyllic life on his parents’ cattle farm in southern Spain. But the peace is shattered when he realises that his favourite bull-calf, brave Paco, is destined to fight in the bullring. Taking both their destinies into his own hands, and risking the lives and love of his family, Antonito hatches a daring plan. But it will take enormous courage – because this is 1936, and the drums of civil war are echoing across the Spanish plains.
Originally produced by Salisbury Playhouse and nominated for the TMA Award for Best Show for Young People, TORO! TORO! captures the passion and drama of rapidly growing up in the heat of war.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf! … and other and other stories from Michael Morpurgo’s Aesop’s Fables
13 July – 1 September
The Bristol Old Vic unfolds a sparkling, alfresco version of the famous storytelling slave’s parables, adapted by the wonderful Mr Michael Morpurgo. Expect many of the old favourites including The Tortoise and the Hare, The Sun and the Wind and of course, The Boy Who Cried Wolf with plenty of new ones thrown into the mix and all told in a summery whirl of colour, music, song and mischief.
I Believe in Unicorns
26th July – 26 August at Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh.
Tomas loves the mountains. He hates school and books but, his world is turned upside down the day he is dragged to the library by his mother and meets the Unicorn and the Unicorn Lady. Come and help Tomas save his burning library when the village is overrun by soldiers in the midst of war. A truly interactive experience, the show changes with each audience’s contribution.
This story-telling adaptation asks you to bring a children’s book along to become part of the set and then to swap it for another, at the end.
Watch the video here.
The Butterfly Lion
30th August – 16 November
When the orphaned white lion cub he has rescued from the African veld is sold to a circus owner and shipped off to Europe, young Bertie vows he will see his friend again. Little does he realise the adventurous, romantic, shocking turns his life will take before that momentous day finally comes.
Adapted by Daniel Buckroyd, The Butterfly Lion will be at the Mercury Theatre Colchester from Friday 30 August to Saturday 14 September, prior to a UK Tour to Saturday 16 November. The press performance will be on Friday 30 August at 7.30pm.
I Believe in Unicorns – Theatre Alibi Tour
27 September – 27 November
Eight year old Tomas didn’t like books or stories. Stories were just for “Little Snotties”. He was happier clambering in the mountains like a goat or tobogganing with his Dad. That was until the Unicorn Lady came to town and reeled him in with her irresistible magic tales. But then disaster struck and put everything that mattered most in Tomas’s life in terrible danger… I Believe in Unicorns is a spellbinding and moving story by one of our greatest storytellers.
Also look out for these summer events:
Private Peaceful – The ConcertSidmouth Folk Week
Pre-festival event at 3pm on Friday 2nd August with Michael Morpurgo and Coope, Boyes & Simpson. Suitable for children of 10 years and above.
Saturday Stories at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Saturday, 31st August
Michael Morpurgo launches Saturday Stories at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre
War Horse Concert – Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire
Tuesday, 24th September
Southwell Minster, Church Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0HD. Southwell Minster is six miles from Newark-on-Trent and 13 miles from Man.
