Award-winning theatre company Tall Stories have announced a major UK tour of the first live stage production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Smeds and the Smoos, opening at the Rose Theatre Kingston from 27 October 2021.

Recently awarded the prestigious British Book Award – Children’s Book of the Year (Illustrated and Non fiction), this joyous story of two star-crossed aliens on a far-off planet is being developed and previewed at Tall Stories’ new studio space at Central Library, Islington prior to its world premiere this Autumn.

The Autumn tour will continue regionally, with a Christmas run at Leicester Curve from 30 November 2021 - 9 January 2022. The tour continues from January 2022, with all touring dates to be announced soon. 

The book tells the story of two rival groups of aliens living on a far-off planet: the Smeds (who are red) and the Smoos (who are blue). The two groups mistrust each other and the children are told to never play together. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? 

At a time when so many young people feel isolated and cut off from each other, Tall Stories is proud to be working on a production that focuses on unity and understanding. 

Created in Tall Stories’ signature physical storytelling style with original music and songs, The Smeds and the Smoos will be directed by Tall Stories’ artistic director Toby Mitchell, with movement by Morag Cross, set and costume design by Barney George, lighting by Peter Harrison, and music and lyrics by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw. 

Donaldson said: “It’s a whole twenty years since Tall Stories brought The Gruffalo to the stage, and it’s been  brilliant that since then they’ve also successfully adapted The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the  Whale. So I’m thrilled that the company is now developing The Smeds and the Smoos, with its cast of aliens and its Romeo and-Juliet-type plot (except that my story has a happy ending). I can’t wait to see the show, and I bet everyone’s going to love  it!” 

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