Originally from Bracknell Berkshire, Jake Trained at The Brit School of Performing Arts – Musical Theatre. Theatre credits include: One Fine Day; Peter Pan; Aladdin & Snow White (South Hill Park Arts Centre), Mother Courage & Teechers;  Animalphabet; Cartoon Network; Oi Frog! and Terrible Thames. Credit with Tall Stories include: The Gruffalo’s Child and The Gruffalo.

 TV credits include Doctors and Deep Cuts.

What have been your favourite projects to work on?  

I really enjoyed Teechers UK tour – a three hander comedy where I got to re-live my inner silly school child again. I also got to perform for and meet the late Queen at Buckingham Palace which was a highlight in my life for sure.

What was your favourite story as a child?  

LION KING! – I still cry at the film now; it teaches so many valuable life lessons! I also love a book of poems called There’s an awful lot of weirdos in our neighbourhood which I still have on my shelf to this day.   

Althea, originally from Manchester, studied Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting and Colchester Institute. Althea is a passionate storyteller and deviser and has worked on a variety of research and development projects. Previous credits with Tall Stories include: The Smeds and The Smoos and The Gruffalo’s Child. Other theatre credits include: Anna Hibiscus Song (The Crucible); Robin Hood (Dukes Theatre); CLASSIC! (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); Elegies for Angels Punks and Raging Queens (Union Theatre); Paw Patrol:Race to The Rescue (UK Tour / International Tour); The Extraordinary Tale of Holly Christmas (The Lowry) and NewsRevue (Edinburgh Fringe Festival / Arts Theatre, London).

Television credits include: Odd Squad (CBBC); Waco Untold: The British Stories (ITVX).

What was your favourite story as a child? 

Anything Roald Dahl, anything Jaqueline Wilson, anything Biff, Chip and Kipper! Basically anything that transported me to a whole other world! 

What sort of imaginary monster would you invent? 

My imaginary monster would look like an adorable cuddly bear but then be able to transform into anything that comes to my mind like a three-legged, four-armed chicken! 

Ashley graduated from the University of Northampton on the BA Acting course in 2014. Ashley is super passionate about children’s theatre and is even writing a children’s book! Previous credits with Tall Stories include: The Gruffalo. Other theatre credits include: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Frankenstein (Blackeyed Theatre);The Goal! (Hereford Courtyard); Might Never Happen (Doll’s Eye Theatre Company); Lost and Found (Little Blue Monster Theatre Company); My Pet Monster and Me and The Duck in the Truck (Blunderbus Theatre Company). Television credits include: Trigger Point

What’s your favourite food? 

Pizza…Yep, Pizza. 

What sort of imaginary monster would you invent? 

One that can fly and helps me get better at organising, but, maybe that’s just wishful thinking. 

Originally from Swindon, Benjamin trained at Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) and graduated in 2023. Having been read The Gruffalo whilst at primary school, Ben is excited to be a part of such a fun production. Theatre credits include: The Polar Express (PNP Events); After Life (PPA) and Working Out (Guildford Fringe Festival). 

What have been your favourite projects to work on? 

I love working on energetic, physical orientated pieces. I love using the body to create stories. 

What sort of imaginary monster would you invent? 

One with massive tusks and great big claws, one that can survive under water and has a big, huge ROOOAAAARRRRR.  

Matt is from Stevenage and trained in Carmarthen. Previous credits with Tall Stories include: Emily Brown and the Thing (Birmingham Hippodrome and North America Tour) Other theatre credits include: I Believe in Unicorns and Why the Whales Came (West End, UK Tours and Hong Kong); Meet Pippi Longstocking (UK Tour); Paper Dolls and Ready Steady Go! (Polka Theatre); We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Little Angel Theatre); Moonfleet and The Secret Garden (Angel Exit Theatre Company). 

What have been your favourite projects to work on? 

I enjoy being part of a team turning great stories into productions which all ages enjoy. Taking Emily Brown and the Thing to Broadway and across America was also incredible.  

What’s your favourite food? 

I like scampi so much it has become my nickname! Plus any pudding or cake!