What the Ladybird Heard

Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun!  

From Julia Donaldson, the best-selling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks comes What the Ladybird Heard: a glittering stage adaptation with live music, original songs, puppetry and lots of interactive fun.  

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all; The Ladybird has a plan of her own!

The woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog take on the villains and win in this colourful stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks’ farmyard adventure. With live instrumental music, original songs, rhyming and repetition, this production is the perfect family treat and the ideal introduction to theatre for pre and primary school children 3+.  

What the Ladybird Heard was produced by Kenny Wax [Top Hat the Musical] in association with Matthew Gregory, directed by Graham Hubbard [Sweeney Todd, Priscilla Queen of the Desert], with original composition and sound design by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw [The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom] for Jollygoodtunes. The show was designed by Bek Palmer with award-winning book illustrator Lydia Monks as design consultant for the production and lighting design by Rick Mountjoy.  

What the Ladybird Heard played its first performance at North Finchley’s artsdepot in October 2013. The show played a summer season at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue in 2017. What the Ladybird Heard has also toured internationally, performing in Bahrain (2014), Abu Dhabi (2018), Dubai (2018), Singapore (2014, 2015, 2018), Hong Kong (2014, 2015, 2018), Guangzhou (2018) and Beijing (2018).  

What the Ladybird Heard was nominated for ‘Best Family Show’ at the 2022 Olivier Awards.