Stop watch is set; we hear the ‘tick, tick, tick’
Ready? Steady?
Geared up, raring to go, Hare is in training at the starting line, alert… waiting…
Who is the fastest, the best?
Old clock chimes; we hear ‘the tick and the tock’
Slowly does it, taking it easy,
Tortoise is planning winter hibernation, poised with pen and paper, pondering… resting zzzz
Steady as you go, steady as you go…
Meet two competing friends in this new fantastic adaptation of Aesop’s fable; a story about racing, opposites, time and friendship. From sun-shining spring to snow-falling winter, tutti frutti brings you this much loved story brimming with ideas, characters, live music and wonderful physicality.
The Hare and Tortoise in the greatest race on earth with a nail biting, seconds ticking, medal winning end…
For 3+ and their families
Resources to support this show can be found in the Learning and Resources section of our website. Or why not see Hare and Tortoise prepare for their race in York http://www.youtube.com/yorktheatreroyal#p/u/1/hhieo2MEnNo
Director – Wendy Harris
Writer – Brendan Murray
Composer – Dominic Sales
Designer – Catherine Chapman
Movement Director – Ruth Tyson-Jones
Illustrations © Brian Wildsmith 1966, 1989 and 2003 taken from The Hare and the Tortoise, A Christmas Journey and A Christmas Story published by Oxford University Press.
Reviews & Quotes
Tour Dates
Date & Time | Venue | Address |
---|---|---|
22nd Sep 2011 11:00,13:30, 18:00 |
York Theatre Royal, Studio Theatre |
St Leonard's Pl, York YO1 7HD To book tickets: 01904 623 568 www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk Visiting family information is here. |
9th Oct 2011 11:00,16:00 |
Ilkley Literature Festival |
To book tickets: 01943 816714 www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk |
14th Oct 2011 10:30,13:30 |
RICHMIX |
35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA To book tickets: 0207 613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk |
15th Oct 2011 11:00,14:00 |
RICHMIX |
35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA To book tickets: 0207 613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk |
16th Oct 2011 13:00,15:00 |
The Lowry |
Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ To book tickets: 0870 111 2020 www.thelowry.com |
20th Oct 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Otley Courthouse |
Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN To book tickets: 01943 467216 www.otleycourthouse.org.uk |
22nd Oct 2011 11:00,13:00 |
Lyric Hammersmith |
Lyric Square, King Street, London, W6 0QL To book tickets: 020 8741 6850 www.lyric.co.uk |
23rd Oct 2011 14:00 |
Gulbenkian Theatre |
University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NB To book tickets: 01227 769075 Visiting family information is here. http://www.thegulbenkian.co.uk/ |
24th Oct 2011 14:30 |
Mumford Theatre |
Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge To book tickets: 0845 1962320 www.anglia.ac.uk/mumfordtheatre |
25th Oct 2011 12:30,15:00 |
The Carriageworks |
3 Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD To book tickets: 0113 376 0318
Visiting family information is here.
www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk |
26th Oct 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Customs House |
Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1ES To book tickets: 0191 454 1234 www.customshouse.co.uk |
27th Oct 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Arc |
Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1LL
To book tickets: 01642 525199
www.arconline.co.uk |
30th Oct 2011 14:30 |
Square Chapel |
10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG To book tickets: 01422 349422 www.squarechapel.co.uk Visiting family information is here. |
1st Nov 2011 11:00 |
North East Lincolnshire Schools |
Closed performances for Schools in Grimsby |
5th Nov 2011 11:30,14:00 |
Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP To book tickets: 0121 236 4455 www.birmingham-rep.co.uk |
6th Nov 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Hawth Theatre |
Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ To book tickets: 01293 553636 www.hawth.co.uk |
12th Nov 2011 13:30 |
Drill Hall |
Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EY To book tickets: 01522 873894 www.lincolndrillhall.com |
13th Nov 2011 13:30,15:30 |
Lakeside Arts |
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD To book tickets: 0115 846 7777 www.lakesidearts.org.uk Visiting family information is here. |
17th Nov 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Salisbury Playhouse |
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7RA To book tickets: 01722 320333 www.salisburyplayhouse.com |
18th Nov 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Salisbury Playhouse |
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7RA To book tickets: 01722 320333 www.salisburyplayhouse.com |
19th Nov 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Half Moon |
43 White Horse Road, London, E1 0ND To book tickets: 020 7709 8900 www.halfmoon.org.uk |
20th Nov 2011 15:00 |
Watermans |
40 High Street, Brentford, TW8 0DS To book tickets: 020 8232 1010 Visiting family information is here. www.watermans.org.uk |
1st Dec 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Powys Dance |
Arlais Road, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5HE To book tickets: 01597 824370 |
3rd Dec 2011 14:30 |
Waterside |
Waterside Plaza, Sale, M33 7ZF
To book tickets: 0161 912 5616
watersidearts.org
|
5th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Shine |
Closed schools performance |
10th Dec 2011 11:00,14:00 |
Lawrence Batley Theatre (lbt) |
Queen's Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP To book tickets: 01484 430528 www.lawrencebatleytheatre.co.uk |
14th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
15th Dec 2011 11:00 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
16th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
17th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
19th Dec 2011 13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
20th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
21st Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
22nd Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
23rd Dec 2011 13:30,18:00 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
24th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
28th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
29th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
30th Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
31st Dec 2011 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
3rd Jan 2012 13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
4th Jan 2012 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
5th Jan 2012 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
6th Jan 2012 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
7th Jan 2012 11:00,13:30 |
Sheffield Theatres Crucible Studio |
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA To book tickets: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
Creative Team

Brendan Murray
Following a degree in Drama at Huddersfield Polytechnic, Brendan trained as an actor at Drama Studio London before working in regional repertory, theatre for young people, commercial touring, fringe and television.
In 1997 Brendan was awarded an Arts Council Bursary and nominated for a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Children's Play and was runner-up for the John Whiting Award in 2000. In 2001 he won The Brian Way Award and in 2009 The Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Play: Children & Young People. He was the Visiting Gulbenkian Fellow at King's College Hospital (2002-03) and Artistic Director of Oxfordshire (Touring) Theatre Company from 2003 to 2008.
Like the good northerner he is, he lives in Brighton.
www.brendanmurray.co.uk
Catherine Chapman

Dominic Sales
Dom loves writing music, playing music, recording music and listening to music. As a boy he was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral, singing everyday for five years and sometimes making records and being on the TV. Later he went on to play lots of jazz and was a finalist in The Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Musician of the Year. Then Dom went to university to learn more about music and since then has been lucky enough to be able to pay the bills just by doing something musical. He has written music for lots of different people -from Atomic Kitten to Opera North and the BBC to a feature film starring John Rhys-Davies. His music has been played on national television and radio and in theatres throughout Europe. Dom is Director/Producer for the record label Jellymould Jazz and also plays the triangle.
www.dominicsales.co.uk
Wendy Harris
Artistic Director, Chair of PYA England
I have held the position of Artistic Director at tutti frutti since 2005 and have directed all but one production in partnership with York Theatre Royal, touring nationally and internationally and co-producing the Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre and the First Words writers’ development programme
Before working with tutti frutti I was Artistic Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company, and previous to this; Merseyside Young People’s Theatre Company in Liverpool. Over the years as a freelance director work has included; Everyman Theatre Liverpool, Crucible Theatre Sheffield, Hope Street Ltd, Oxford Stage Company, Unity Theatre Liverpool, European Stage Company, Theatre Royal Stratford East, and Contact Theatre Manchester. I currently live in Leeds with my partner Mark and two sons Louie and Eliot.
It is intriguing to think how you get cast as a tortoise. “You do an audition in the same way as anything else,” – Sheffield telegraph
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/listings/theatre/haring_about_to_play_it_real_slow_1_4105865AND talking of (semi) famous musicians, you may well recognise the chap who’s currently busking in Fargate each afternoon.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/the-diary/barnaby_the_hare_y_busker_1_4081676That’s Barnaby Southgate, star of touring children’s play Hare and Tortoise which is currently running at the Crucible – Sheffield Star
The live experience for children is even more vital today than it’s ever been as we journey through a world full of screens and digital media.” – Yorkshire Post
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/the-arts/theatre/fable_for_an_uncertain_world_leaves_aesop_s_ending_behind_1_4045644ROLL up to the Crucible Studio for the greatest race on earth this Christmas as children’s theatre company tutti frutti bring to town a new version of Aesop’s fable, Hare and Tortoise. – Sheffield Telegraph
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/listings/theatre/see_a_race_that_ll_be_both_fast_and_slow_1_4048689Credit to production partners Tutti Frutti and the York Theatre Royal for their creative and thoughtful touches which made the fable so charming. – The Star, Sheffield
http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/theatre/review_hare_and_tortoise_crucible_studio_1_4073423A beautifully crafted piece.
The real pleasure here is the touchingly drawn friendship between Barnaby Southgate’s gangly, over excitable Hare and Luisa Guerreiro’s careful and methodical Tortoise – Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 3.11.11
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/nov/03/hare-and-tortoise-reviewHare and Tortoise captivates immediately and draws children and their families into a beautiful world – The Stage
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/33683/hare-and-tortoiseTutti Frutti have once again created a show that children and accompanying adults alike will adore… It is beautiful to look at, but visually witty too… Both performers should be commended for their physicality and singing. – Public Reviews
http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-hare-and-the-tortoise-grand-opera-house-york/Writer, Brendan Murray and Tutti Frutti have transformed the few lines of the fable into an intimate, enchanting and colourful work that will truly delight children over 3 and big kids like myself. – Public Reviews
For younger audience members this is a fantastic introduction to live theatre. – British Theatre Guide
Hare and Tortoise, is another fine show to introduce young children to an exciting theatrical world. – British Theatre Guide
Tutti Frutti have a growing reputation for excellent quality, physically and musically imaginative children’s theatre – British Theatre Guide
Young audiences deserve the very best and here they get it – The Stage
As audiences have come to expect from a Tutti Frutti show there is superbly observed movement from the two characters. – The Stage
The familiar story of the most famous race there ever was is so beautifully paced by the Tutti Frutti company. – The Stage
Southgate and Guerreiro (as Hare and Tortoise) are a terrific double act. – York Press
Children and accompanying adults will love this enchanting show. – York Press
Four Stars – Whatsonstage.com