Children in hospitals across Britain will have the chance to watch a livestream of a stage adaptation of a Julia Donaldson classic next month, thanks to a move by The Lowry Theatre.
The Salford-based theatre has partnered with leading storytelling theatre company Tall Stories and reading charity Read for Good to bring The Gruffalo Live On Stage to young patients and their families.
Performances of the show will be streamed to children, allowing them to experience live theatre from hospitals located around the country.
Teams from The Lowry Theatre and Tall Stories will be based at multiple locations to deliver pre-show activities and interactive moments during the performance itself, ensuring the magic of live theatre reaches children and their families wherever they are.
Each child will receive a golden theatre ticket as a keepsake, along with other goodies for the performance.
The move comes as the 25th anniversary national tour of The Gruffalo Live On Stage visits the Lowry Theatre for two days on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July.
Since 2022, Lowry has brought live-streamed theatre to more than 2,000 children and families across the North West.
The project emerged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the emotional impact of isolation on children in hospitals became impossible to ignore. Recognising this, The Lowry used its existing streaming technology to bridge that gap.
The programme has livestreamed much-loved family productions by Tall Stories, Room on the Broom (2022), and The Smeds and The Smoos (2025), and other productions including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (2023), Stick Man (2024).
“Seeing my son’s face watching the show has given me a boost to keep my spirits up for his sake,” said a family member of a child who watched a show remotely.
A Lowry Theatre spokesperson highlighted that hospital staff consistently report improved mood, connection and relief from the stresses of hospital life.
Jenny Riding, Director of Learning and Engagement at Lowry, said: “This initiative shows just how powerful live theatre can be in supporting children’s wellbeing, and its impact shows that even in the most difficult moments, creativity can offer comfort, joy and a sense of normality.
“We’re incredibly proud to see it grow from something that started at Lowry to now reaching children in hospitals across the UK, through this partnership with Tall Stories and Read for Good. Together, we’re able to ensure even more children can feel part of the magic, particularly those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access theatre.”
The acclaimed stage adaptation of The Gruffalo Live On Stage, based on the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Macmillan Children’s Books), will be live-streamed from Lowry’s Quays Theatre in Salford to at least nine locations.
These include: Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool including the state-of-the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey; Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, including sites at Oxford Road, North Manchester General, Trafford General, and Wythenshawe Hospital; The Hub at Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children & Young People; The Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal part of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust; and the MediCinema at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Toby Mitchell, Artistic Director and Tara Wilkinson, Executive Director at Tall Stories, said: “At Tall Stories, we believe every child deserves the wonder of storytelling theatre, no matter where they are.
“This summer, as part of our anniversary celebration, we are proud to be live-streaming The Gruffalo Live on Stage into hospitals across the UK, completely free, reaching over 1,900 children whose current circumstances mean they cannot attend in person.”
Cherry Land, Acting CEO of Read for Good, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Lowry and Tall Stories to help reach even more children in hospitals with incredible stories. We know just how powerful the resulting joy, inclusion, distraction and wonder can be for these children and their families throughout treatment. This fantastic partnership will ensure that they don’t miss out on the celebrations and this magical and musical adaptation of such a beloved story.”
More information about the show’s stop at the Lowry Theatre during its anniversary tour is available here.
