One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle his way to London this Summer in celebration of a major birthday. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will play a limited 4-week run at Troubadour White City Theatre from Wednesday 7 August to Sunday 1 September, to mark the 50thAnniversary of Eric Carle’s beloved book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets during a magical show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best loved books for the stage. The 50thAnniversary production will feature a brand-new line-up of stories for 2019; Brown Bear, Brown Bear,10 Little Rubber Ducks, the return of The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Eric Carle said: “I am delighted that the 50th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be celebrated with such an enchanting production, and that my friends in London will be able to share the same enjoyment I felt when seeing my characters come to life on stage.”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is adapted for the stage by director Jonathan Rockefeller, whose production sees four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life 75 magical puppets that faithfully recreate the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations.
Jonathan Rockefeller said: “We’re excited to bring new Eric Carle stories to the London stage alongside perennial favourite ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. ‘Brown Bear’ is another of Eric’s best loved characters embraced by our little – and very enthusiastic – audience members!”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show first premiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016. The New York production broke box office records and attracted celebrities with families including Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Sawyer. The show has since played two West End seasons at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2016 and 2017.
