Comments - The Gruffalo

ENGERHAFE... everyone was absolutely thrilled and now they know that the "Grüffelo", a monster from the children's book by British author Julia Donaldson, really exists. Because they had seen him in person in Engerhafe at the mobile theater "pohyb's and friends". The fervor with which children can participate could also be experienced here at first hand. What the mobile theater, the duo Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz offered without a large stage set and complex technology was great. With simple means, but expressive body language and pantomime, they stimulated the imagination and so the children "saw" the animals in the forest. They were happy with the plietsche mouse, another character from Julia Donaldson's children's book, and enthusiastically helped her out, because the mouse would certainly not have survived some situations if it had not been loudly warned in time by the awakened children. ... Once again it was shown that animals do not stop at borders and so the snake was a Russian immigrant who caused a rush with "Dawai, dawai und Spasiba" just as much as the Italian fox, from whom one expected to hear "Isch abe no car" at almost any moment. The owl, on the other hand, came along with a snobbish nasal and understated English understatement, this multicultural mixture was just too funny. Since 2005, the duo Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz has not only been traveling around Germany with their performances, they inspire children wherever they go. Thanks to its expressiveness, there are no language barriers either... Osnabrücker Nachrichten (Barbara Hoppe)

KNETZGAU. A stroke of luck for the kindergarten. At the end of the kindergarten year, the parents' council of the Knetzgau kindergarten organized a play in the council and culture hall. The commitment of the two actors from the mobile theater pohyb's and company, who live in Hofheim, turned out to be an absolute stroke of luck, because from the first to the last minute of the performance, the two shone through passion and professionalism. How skillfully the two actors use gestures and facial expressions is already evident at the beginning of the play, when Stefan Ferencz peeks out from behind the stage set and performs the first pantomime movements. With clownish charm, he manages to break the ice and cast a spell over the approximately 110 children. At the beginning of the performance, together with his acting partner Maike Jansen, he creates a summery forest atmosphere with buzzing bees and chirping birds. It can be felt throughout the performance that the two actors write their pieces to suit each other. All roles and scenes that go back to the children's book "The Gruffalo" are interpreted absolutely authentically and convincingly. With a lot of wit and humor they work on the emotionally moving subject matter of the book for the children, without losing any of its depth. Phases of tension, which can be read on the children's faces, are followed by comical scenes, to which the children react with loud laughter and visible relaxation. The energetic play of the actors jumps over to the children and encourages them much more than a TV film to process what they have seen. The Gruffalo is a terrifying monster, a fantasy character that the mouse came up with to escape from the hungry forest animals. The picture book by Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson takes up the old theme of David and Goliath and, in a story that is accessible to children, shows that fearlessness and ingenuity can overcome the supposedly overwhelming. A story that addresses children's archaic primal fears, but also encourages them; Because: "Even if you're small and vulnerable, you don't have to let yourself be defeated; you can defend yourself with wit and imagination." (Maike Jansen) The little mouse, played by Maike Jansen - always with a happy "Schupti-Dupti" on his lips - meets the fox, the owl and the snake on her way through the forest. With simple, expressive accessories that are used effectively on stage, the two actors slip into the roles of these animals and give them their very own character through gestures, facial expressions and voice. The British-looking owl would like to invite the mouse to "tea" and the fox turns out to be a macho Italian model. The entire production lives from quick role changes, the skilful use of body and voice, as well as the lively play of the two actors. The children also feel that the two artists have mastered the tools of their trade down to the last detail and immerse themselves in the story immediately. The children will probably remember this visit to the theater for a long time.

MOSBACH. Monster-like performances of "Pohyb's and Co" - Gruffalo stories full of imagination. "I'm not scared of the Gruffalo at all. But girls are all scared.” With this questionable assertion, a three-cheese high commented on the performance of “Pohyb's and Co.” on Friday morning. Jürgen Mellert from "Kindler's Buchhandlung", who had organized the two screenings in the singers' home, was delighted with the huge response from 160 spectators. Anyone who had already experienced Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz with the "Three Friends" knew that the two actors, musicians, pantomimes and puppeteers implement their literary models in a very special way. The couple also presented Julia Donaldson's and Axel Scheffler's “Grüffelo” stories about the “monster-strong” mouse, which uses brains to put all its enemies to flight – instead of ending up in their stomachs – in a playful and poetic way. The fact that they largely dispensed with props fired the audience's imagination even more. The prologue already revealed a very unique view of the world and the pace prevailing in it. Eerie noises, wild grumbling and stomping could be heard behind the black stage structure. Stefan Ferencz calmed the rumbling, imaginary creature with a "Pst!" Put on a waistcoat, removed imaginary lint and was amazed to find a crowd of children sitting in front of him. Even a "one, two, three" followed by a snap of the fingers did not turn out to be a bad dream for the viewers. Luckily, Maike Jansen came at the right moment and played a summery melody on the concertina. "It crawls and flees in the forest," the two explained. Modeled the forest mood using cuckoo calls, frog croaking and mosquito humming. A happy "Schubedibu" on the lips, the mouse walked through the forest. A hair band with mouse ears was enough for the actress to slip into the fabulous role of the rodent. "Ciao, Bambini," the fox greeted the children, first polished his oversized tail to a high gloss before he said: "Ho fame, breakfast, I'm hungry." At the sight of the mouse, he said quietly: "Yummy." Cunningly, he wanted to invite her to his home for a jello. But the little one saw through the philanderer and flatly refused. The hint that she was expecting the Gruffalo and that he would love to eat fox skewers drove the highwayman away. The invitation of the swooping owl to tea went just as unheeded as that of the "snake-mouse festival". Sometimes the Gruffalo dreamed of "owl with icing", then again of "snake puree". A cheerful "Schubidubidu" on the lips - the children quickly added a "Dub!" - the mouse jumped away and was amazed at the gullibility of the animals. Until the invented monster stood in front of her in person and made it clear: “My favorite treat is bread and butter with a mouse.” But the mouse, who was equipped as a giant mask with a bloodcurdling voice, was also able to fool him. In the story of the Gruffalo child, masterful pantomime brought his best friend Stockmann to life. A wild chase in slow motion thrilled the audience as well as the actors, who were always good for a bizarre insert. Maybe it was almost too much of a good thing in the end. The first story would probably have given the smaller viewers enough storytelling material.

GERNSBACH. Children have fun at "Pohyb's and Co." at Marienhaus. "Other direction! Behind you. No, there!” The excitement mounts, the children scream louder and louder and can hardly stay seated. After all, they want to warn the clever mouse about the snake, which hisses as it approaches in order to devour the little animal at the "Snake-Mouse Festival". But: The mouse knows how to help itself. She is invited to the Gruffalo with the "fiery eyes" and "spikes on his back", who also loves to eat "snake puree"... The church's public library gave its youngest readers a great gift on the occasion of its 125th anniversary on Thursday afternoon: the mobile theater "pohyb's und kon sorten" played the popular children's story "The Gruffalo" in the Marienhaus. Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz slipped into the roles of the mouse, the gruffalo and the forest animals that normally like to have mice on the menu. With pantomime, noises generated completely live, music on a concertina and a stage design reduced to a black wall with a small door, the duo conjured up a forest atmosphere in the fully occupied Mariensaal. Then the mouse appeared with an exuberant "Shubdi, shubbedi-dubti". The owl with its English accent, the snake hissing in Russian and the vain fox trying to lure the mouse in Italian were also lovingly designed. The rhymes typical of this story were also integrated by "pohyb's and the like" - so that some children were eager to join in and I was happy to get involved. “When is the Gruffalo coming?” cried an impatient viewer. Then he was there: oversized and unmistakable, the figure appeared over the edge of the stage. The bridge to the Gruffalo child, who is warned by the father of the “bad mouse” by the father: “Your eyes can flash like fire”, was also successful. But the little Gruffalo daringly goes in search of the mouse - and meets the well-known forest animals again. ("Pohyb's and friends", who developed the piece in cooperation with the publishing house "Beltz & Gelberg" based on the two children's books, give this toy of the young Gruffalo a special role. "Mr. Stockmann" doesn't want to go into the forest. Stefan Ferencz amusingly portrays this in his clownesque fight, in which the stick figure finally gets the short end of the stick. It's amazing how much the duo got out of the popular children's books.) Although the character of the story of Julia Donaldson and the illustrations by Axel Scheffler, something completely new emerged. - BT (Daniela Korner)

Hello you two, Thank you very much again for the great theater experience! Great that we were there! I giggled so much and had so much fun! Your Ben 3.5 years with mom from Stuttgart

When Ferencz embodies the owl as an English snob, lets the fox become an Italian daredevil or gives the snake as a rustic rascal with a Russian accent, then this is not only pure children's theater, but also a piece of satire - not entirely politically correct, but hilarious. “Pohyb's and friends” slip through all the roles that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler created in their book template in no time at all. In addition to the lovingly designed costumes, a black partition was the only stage prop. It served as a fox's den, gruffalo cave and as a dressing room for the actors. They told the story of a little mouse and its cunning dizziness to escape from the menu of three thoroughly shady forest dwellers. However, she soon realizes that the Gruffalo doesn't just exist in her imagination.

The younger part of the audience turned out to be experts on Gruffalo issues. It chanted the name of the hero in front of the front door and recited whole passages of the picture book by heart. Otherwise, the children were rooting for the courageous mouse. True screams of panic broke out when the nasty snake tried to approach the rodent from behind. Immediately followed by malicious laughter as she walked away, terrified and unachieved. The play or the audience's reactions - impossible to say which was the more amusing spectacle that afternoon. Simon Blumer

COELBE. "There, behind you!" Excitedly, many of the children squealed and pointed as the snake stalked behind the unsuspecting mouse, and even more so when suddenly the Gruffalo himself appeared. But they laughed even more at the funny noises, movements, facial expressions and conversations and followed the dangerous path of the little mouse, which met a fox, an owl and a snake. She avoids being eaten by pointing out her appointment with the ghastly monster Gruffalo, which likes to eat “fox skewer”, “owl with icing” or “snake puree”. In the end, however, the Gruffalo that she had only imagined actually appears. But the brave mouse finally puts the monster to flight by saying that she likes to eat Gruffalo groats. With few props, but quick costume changes, the mobile theater “Pohyb's und Konsorten” consisting of Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz managed to put on a rousing and poetic performance that was also fun for the adult audience. The support associations of the kindergartens “Löwenzahn” in Cölbe and “Lummerland” in Bürgeln have thus succeeded in giving the children and their families a wonderful (belated) Christmas present. Because not only the kindergarten children, but also siblings and parents were invited.

VELBERT Excitedly, the little theater fans slide around on the seat of their trousers. It's about to start. He's coming soon. Who ? Well, the Gruffalo. A star of the nursery scene that the target group – bookworms from the age of four – only knows from picture books. Today, however, you will get very close to him in the central library. The Hofheim children's theater "pohyb's & consorts" has this strange animal in its luggage. But before Gruffalo and later the Gruffalo child dare to come on stage, a lot will happen, because a cheeky mouse leads through the story at first. This jumps happily through the forest and is exposed to all kinds of dangers. But she is not stupid and threatens the snake, fox and owl that she is about to meet the Gruffalo. Fortunately, the forest dwellers don't know him and so she describes him as someone who likes to eat "fox skewers", "owl with icing" or "snake puree". It should also be mentioned that the animals mentioned actually all have the little mouse on their menu. The story of the gray rodent inspires a lot of respect among the forest dwellers and the Gruffalo groupies? They can hardly stand it for the sheer fun. Already in the first act there is a timid laughter. It should turn into a screaming "Hahaha" in the course of the theater afternoon. Because "pohyb's & friends" have it right. Like a good dentist's drill, Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz hit the nerve of the brats - the laughing nerve, mind you. The two actors provide a lot of tension and a lot of wit. They spontaneously integrate the children's calls into the play. Despite the many characters to be portrayed, they are just the two of them. Although no, the "stick man" should not be forgotten here. Although he is only made of wood, he has his own little supporting role. But in order to play the other roles, Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz regularly disappear behind the black wall and slip into new costumes. The wall is the focal point of the stage. Transforms into a cold winter day or even into a dark full moon night. Sometimes, however, she is simply used for the hunting scenes, which often end in spectacular falls – to the delight of the children. WAZ Velbert, Saskia Baeck)

Worth seeing performance of the story of the Gruffalo in the media library SCHWAIGERN. This mouse is really smart. With courage and self-confidence, she puts even her biggest enemies to flight. The mobile theater pohyb's and friends from Hofheim in Bavaria inspires children in the Schwaigern media center with the picture book story of the Gruffalo. The performance, which the media library organized in cooperation with the bookstore Schwaigern, was sold out in no time. Stage A total of 130 children and adults fill the seats in front of the small stage. Then the spots come on. Maike Jansen as a brave little mouse quickly won the hearts of the big and small spectators. Light-footed and light-hearted, she hops through the forest, cheerfully singing “shubdi, shubbedidu, dubdi” to herself. With her big ears and watchful eyes, she is quickly the darling of the show. But the mouse does not live alone in the forest, and many an animal would like to eat it for breakfast. Stefan Ferencz slips into the role of the fox who, with a Spanish accent, hypocritically invites the small animal into his burrow. "At my place, a la casa, there is jelly," he entices the mouse and wants to catch it. But she suspects the insidious thought and invents the Gruffalo, a monster with sharp claws and long tusks. She supposedly wants to meet him right away, she has an appointment with him, explains the mouse and thus puts the fox to flight. But the owl with English slang is also after the little forest dweller. "Come on, I invite you to tea," it sounds seductive. Again the mouse makes do with the gruffalo and finally meets the russian. Talking snake that almost manages to hypnotize the little four-legged friend. After all, all animals are afraid of the mouse and its big friend. And in the end she actually meets her mythical creatures - and manages to outwit the Gruffalo too. Mimik Maike Jansen and Stefan Ferencz put the picture book story written by the children's book author Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler into an exciting performance. The facial expressions are impressive and with just a few backdrops, the duo manages to captivate the children. It's great how Stefan Ferencz imitates the animal sounds and portrays the character traits of the forest dwellers. RNZ, Gabi Muth