"How I long to sail,” said the tiny snail... Northcott Theatre

This year’s Christmas show at Exeter Northcott looks set to be a winner with children and grown-ups alike.

Tall Stories, creators of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, bring their latest production, The Snail and the Whale, to the theatre for a festive run on 12-30 December. 

This charming play of bravery tells the story of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. What an adventure the pair embark upon, as they journey together across the seas.

But then disaster strikes – the whale gets beached in a bay. Can the brave little snail save the day? Follow the snail’s amazing journey, as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father.

Created in Tall Stories’ unique style, The Snail and the Whale mixes imaginative storytelling, plenty of laughs and fantastic new music played live on stage – in a show for everyone aged four and over. The Exeter Northcott is the final venue of its 2012 international tour, which began in February.

This is Tall Stories’ latest collaboration with Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It is inspired by the work of Storybook Soldiers, who help British military personnel abroad to record bedtime story CDs for their children back home.

The Snail and the Whale – written in 2003 – won the 2004 Early Years award for the best pre-school book, the 2005 Blue Peter award for Best Book to Read Aloud, and the 2007 Giverny award for Best Science Picture Book.

Julia Donaldson says of The Snail and the Whale: “It is probably my favourite of all the books I have written for Axel Scheffler to illustrate.”

This show follows Tall Stories’ Christmas 2010 production of Room on the Broom at Exeter Northcott.

The Snail and the Whale Wed 12 – Sun 30 December 2012 (morning and afternoon shows) Tickets: £10

Schools: £7.50 for groups 10+ Age: 4yrs+ Running Time: 50 mins (no interval) Post Show Events: Meet the cast after the 1.30pm show on Tues 18 December and 2pm show on Fri 28 December. 

The Snail and the Whale Exhibition, 10-31 December

Once again, arts education charity Daisi will be drawing on its team of more than 150 professional artists and its links with schools across the county to put together a very special project, which is part of a longer-term partnership with Exeter Northcott Theatre.  

In all, this exhibition will show the work of children between the ages of five and eleven from several schools across Devon, exploring the story and recreating the magical world of The Snail and the Whale. 

Last year, Daisi staged an exhibition to run alongside Exeter Northcott’s 2011 Christmas show, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. They took over the foyer and all the other front of house areas - the bar, gallery and annexe areas - with the art project, which featured 3-D pieces, recreating the different environments that feature in the book.