Preview: The Detective Dog at Gala Durham

The Detective Dog 

Gala Durham 

Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 April 2026

Julia Donaldson's best-selling picture book The Detective Dog turns ten this year, and Tiny and Tall Productions are marking the occasion with a joyful stage adaptation specially created for Deaf and hard of hearing families, though one that promises to delight audiences of every age and every background.

The show follows Nell, a remarkable dog with an extraordinary sense of smell and a deep love of stories. Brought vividly to life through puppetry, original music and, in a wonderful touch, an interactive pre-show scent activity, Nell puts her investigative nose to work when a book mysteriously vanishes from her owner Peter's school. It is a warm, funny and gently thrilling adventure for anyone aged three and upwards.

Tiny and Tall Productions collaborate with leading Deaf artists to ensure the show is fully accessible, incorporating BSL and creative captions as an integral part of the staging rather than an afterthought. As artistic director Tessa Bide puts it, the company aims to raise the bar for accessibility in children's theatre and to welcome in audiences who have previously been excluded from it. On the evidence of the reception the show received when it toured last year, they are doing exactly that.

Cast and Creatives

The production is written by Julia Donaldson CBE (The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom) from her book illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, and is directed by Peta Maurice, whose previous work includes national tours of The Gruffalo, the Giant and the Mermaid. The design is by Katie Sykes and Ruby Brown, with original music by Jack Drewry, lighting by Joe Price, and video design and creative captions by Christopher Harrison. Lynn Stewart-Taylor serves as BSL Director, with access consultancy from Jonny Cotsen. The puppets are designed by Tessa Bide, who also created the piece as the company's Artistic Director. The cast features Megan Brooks as Peter/Puppeteer, Eleanor Pead as Child/Puppeteer/Librarian, and Amy Murray as Child/Ms Jones/Ted.

Photos: Paul Blakemore

Tickets

The Detective Dog plays at Gala Durham, 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026. Tickets are available from the Gala Durham website: https://galadurham.co.uk/galapost/the-detective-dog/

Running time: 1 hour. Recommended age guidance: 3+.