THE Very Hungry Caterpillar stars in a hit stage show, on its way to Cumbria in June.

The iconic children's character appears on stage at the Carnegie Theatre, in Workington, on Saturday June 17, as part of a UK tour, following stints in the West End and in New York.

A menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets are featured during a magical 60-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best-loved books for the stage: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Carle’s books have captivated generations of readers with their iconic hand-painted illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing millions of children to a bigger, brighter world, and to their first experience of reading itself. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world.

It has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 43 million copies, remaining one of the top 10 bestselling children’s books of all time.

Since it was first published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 132 million copies of his books have sold around the world.


The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is adapted for the stage by director Jonathan Rockefeller, whose production sees four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life 75 magical puppets that faithfully recreate the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations.

Rockefeller sys: “Eric Carle has created a deceptively simple, yet sophisticated introduction to reading through the magic of his iconic collage illustrations and memorable stories. I still have my original copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and to this day can’t help but be enthralled by the stylish and captivating art in Eric’s work.

“For many in the audience, this show will undoubtedly be their very first time at the theatre, so we have been very conscientious to ensure that we have been absolutely faithful to their favourite characters. Our goal is to take the audience on a truly memorable journey, bringing these stories to life through the magic of puppetry, movement and stagecraft.

"We have a menagerie of larger-than- life puppets, bursting with vibrant colour - it’s astonishing to compare the original illustrations to the puppets and how exact they are."

Eric Carle adds: “I am delighted my friends in the UK are able to share the same enjoyment I felt when seeing my characters come to life in the beautiful and enchanting Broadway production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.”

The cast features members of the Charlie and Lola UK Tour and the In The Night Garden Live shows.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show first premiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016, breaking box office records.

There will be two performances at the Carnegie Theatre, in Workington, on Saturday June 17, at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Tickets are available from the venue's box office.