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 from 12th-30th 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.”

Performance times:

12 Dec - 1.30pm* 13 Dec - 1.30pm* 14 Dec - 10.30am* 1.30pm* 15 Dec - 11am 2pm 16 Dec - 11am 2pm 18 Dec - 1.30pm* 19 Dec - 10.30am* 1.30pm* 20 Dec -  1.30pm* 22 Dec -11am 2pm 23 Dec - 11am 2pm 24 Dec - 2pm 26 Dec - 2pm 27 Dec - 11am 2pm 28 Dec - 11am 2pm 29 Dec - 11am 2pm 30 Dec - 11am 2pm

* Schools' performance

Tickets: £10, running time 50 minute (no interval), suitable for children aged 4+

Post show events: Meet the cast after the 1.30pm show on 18th December and 2pm show on 28th December.

Box office: 01392 493493

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

http://www.tallstories.org.uk/