When does the performance of The Gruffalo begin?

The performance starts on June 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

How long does the play last?

The performance lasts about 60 minutes and has no intermission.

What age is The Gruffalo suitable for?

The play is recommended for children 3 years and older.

Where does the event take place?

At Senner Waldbad, Am Waldbad 74, 33659 Bielefeld.

What does a ticket cost?

The regular admission for adults is €10, children up to 14 years pay €4.50.

Is the event outdoors?

Yes, it is an open-air event at Senner Waldbad.

Summer Children's Theatre in the Green: The Gruffalo Enchants Bielefeld Today Up Close

Name: The Gruffalo – Picnic Meets Theatre at Senner Waldbad
Start: 2026-06-21T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-21T14:00:00+02:00
Location: Senner Waldbad

A Forest Full of Wit, Courage, and Stage Magic

On June 21, 2026, Senner Waldbad transforms into an open-air stage, where summer lightness meets refined children's theatre. The Gruffalo by the Young Theatre Bonn brings the famous story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to Bielefeld as a lively stage experience – poetic, exciting, and full of playful imagination.

A Little Mouse, a Big Myth

The center of attention is the clever mouse, who uses wit and bravery to assert herself in the deep forest. Out of necessity, she invents the Gruffalo – a monster that sounds so fearsome that Owl, Fox, and Snake choose to flee. This mixture of cunning, rhythmic language, and child-friendly suspense has made the story a modern classic of children's theatre for years.

A Modern Fairy Tale with Precise Dramaturgy

The production by Toby Mitchell follows the logic of a perfectly timed story theatre: clear characters, strong imagery, and sharp scene changes. The performance lasts about 60 minutes and runs without an intermission – ideal for a young audience from 3 years old. The condensation of the material sharpens the dramaturgy and maintains the tension until the very last moment.

Why The Gruffalo Still Works Today

The material lives off its simple but highly effective theatre concept: The weak triumph over the powerful with imagination. This inversion is not only entertaining but also pedagogically effective without being preachy. Since its premiere at JTB in 2010, nearly 100,000 visitors have experienced the play in over 300 performances – a clear sign of its enduring audience impact.

Open-Air Atmosphere at Senner Waldbad

Senner Waldbad provides an unusually appealing setting: green expanses, edge of the forest, picnic blanket, summer feeling. The theatre atmosphere outdoors enhances the immediate connection between stage and audience. Those attending with children experience theatre not in a traditional hall but as a shared summer event with fresh air and lively audience reactions.

Strong Children's Literature, Strong Stage Art

The success of The Gruffalo on stage is also due to the quality of the source material. The rhymes of Julia Donaldson and the character world of Axel Scheffler have long since attained the status of an international classic. The German-language version combines this literary strength with an easily understandable, clear playing style that appeals to both families and theatre newcomers.

Conclusion: The Gruffalo promises a summer theatre afternoon full of imagination, humor, and clever suspense at Senner Waldbad. Anyone wanting to experience children's book magic live should not miss this date.