Endearing monster Gruffalo, the subject of an award-winning children's book, is making his Bermuda Festival debut tomorrow evening in the first of three performances at Daylesford Theatre.

The gruffalo will be accompanied by his creator, imaginative author Jane Donaldson, and an additional cast of characters.

In a performance which involves songs and audience participation, Mrs. Donaldson will be bringing her well-loved stories about the gruffalo — a scaly, scary creature described as having "terrible tusks, terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws"— and various other characters to life, among them a naughty princess, a stupid butterfly and a wicked emperor.

Since this is a highly interactive performance, younger audience members in particular can look forward to lots of participation.

The programme is ideally suited to children over four years of age, and Daylesford Theatre (located in the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society headquarters on the corner of Washington and Dundonald Streets) has been especially chosen so that everyone, big and small, can enjoy a good view of the stage.

'The Gruffalo and Friends' has been performed to great acclaim around the world, and in places as far apart as Scotland and Australia.

Mrs. Donaldson is an award-winning storybook author, composer, poet and playwright. She has published 67 books, one of which, 'The Gruffalo's Child', recently ranked second in children's paperback charts, and another, 'The Giants and the Joneses', is to be made into a film.

Following each performance, the audience will have an opportunity to meet the author, at which time she will also be happy to autograph copies of her books.

While all performances are sold out, aspiring attendees should check with the Festival box office for returns.