The world premiere stage production of Tales from Acorn Woodbrings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s entrancing characters from the best selling books to life in a glorious, colourful and entertaining production. Talk to a member of staff at the auditorium entrance if you have a disability that means you can’t queue, or you need extra time to take your seat. They can arrange priority entry for you as soon as the doors open. The performance on Thursday 9 February, 11am is also Sensory Adapted. It has lower levels of lighting and sound effects, so may be especially suitable for audiences with sensory sensitivities. This may include children, young people and adults with neurodivergence such as autism, learning difficulties or other sensory or communication needs. To reach this entrance, enter the Royal Festival Hall via the Southbank Centre Square Doors. Take the JCB Glass Lift to Level 2 and exit to the Riverside Terrace. Turn right to find the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.

Twenty years after publication of the four original Acorn Wood books, the animal adventures continued with two new stories in 2021 - Cat’s Cookbook and Squirrel’s Snowman, with two more to follow in 2022. Tales from Acorn Wood is a collection of stories based on the Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s best-selling lift the flap books for preschool children.For access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating rows A to C and wheelchair spaces in the Front Stalls, please enter via the Artists' Entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road (Level 1). You can also use the external lift near the Artists' Entrance on Southbank Centre Square to reach Mandela Walk, Level 2. Members get the first chance to book our entire programme of events, including go-down-in-history gigs, concerts with world-class orchestras, and talks from cultural icons and political giants. The Queen Elizabeth Hall cloakroom is closed. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the Queen Elizabeth Hall, so please leave large bags at home. We're cash-free Tales From Acorn Wood Norwell Lapley Productions Presents Tales from Acorn Wood Based on the favourite stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.

A performance well worth a visit for children ages 1 to 5 years or older children who are fans of the book. It will have you singing along and dancing together in no time, a perfect family experience. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales From Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience.

Fans of the books will love seeing their favourite characters brought to life as puppets skillfully manipulated by talented performers James Blake Johnson, Lottie Johnson, Hayley Murray, Arthur Thorpe and Jenny Trapp, who clearly know how to lead a young audience. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories return to The Haymarket stage for another enchanting lift-the-flap experience. The children were completely mesmerised by the piece. The pace, changes in plot, participatory moments and use of music and colour, make this a perfect performance for first time or seasoned theatre visitors. There are very few upsets, shuffling bums or need to leaves, as one might expect with an audience so young. They sit through most of the show with joy written all over their faces. For step-free access from the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road off Belvedere Road to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating (excluding rows A to C) and wheelchair spaces in the Rear Stalls, plus Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer and the Purcell Room, please use the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance. I have always enjoyed illustrating the Tales from Acorn Wood stories; the wide cast of animal friends is fun to draw and I enjoy developing their world through my pictures. I am very pleased that the Norwell Lapley team is using state of the art staging and technology to create a brilliant experience for children and I am looking forward to seeing it all, especially how they create the lift-the flap effects on stage!

Tales from Acorn Wood is a delightful series of lift-the-flap animal stories for preschoolers, from bestselling author/ illustrator team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - creators of The Gruffalo.

Julia Donaldson and Axel Schaffler are the multiple awards winning and bestselling children’s book team behind The Gruffalo which has reached world wide sales of nearly 7 million and is available in 26 languages. Imagine Children's Festival is a Relaxed festival. All performances have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit during the performances. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available for both adults and children.Julia Donaldson says: “I am really happy that the Tales from Acorn Wood are now moving to the stage. Fans of the books are bound to enjoy seeing the four main characters – Fox, Bear, Pig and Rabbit – brought to life through NLP’s clever staging. Live performance and songs are both very close to my heart and I am sure this production will delight children and families.” The performances on Thursday 9 February, 11am, and Friday 10 February, 4.30pm, are British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).