Moominvalley in November

Coming this winter, Thursday 23rd October – Sunday 16th November, Moominvalley in November is a new musical based on the ninth and final story of the globally known Moomin books, by Finnish author Tove Jansson. Co-produced by Nummulite and Chromolume, the in-house company at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Moominvalley in November is a gentle, profound, and life-affirming meditation on grief, belonging, and quiet resilience. 

Six strangers arrive in a quiet Moominvalley, right as the Moomins are inexplicably absent from their home. Awaiting their return, the strangers settle into the Moominhouse and begin to share their stories, from Snufkin’s search for a new melody to Fillyjonk’s desire for order and young Toft’s quest to meet the Moomins. As a bond forms, these six loners will discover a new, found family in each other. 

Written and composed by Swedish-born, London-based composer Hans Jacob Hoeglund, the show was previously shortlisted for the Mercury Musical Developments BEAM 2025 showcase. This production is the first time the show will be fully realised on stage.

Writer and Composer Hoeglund comments, It’s a huge honour to be adapting Tove Jansson’s work for the stage. Her world is so visually rich and lends itself perfectly to the intimate space at the Gatehouse. We make use of lighting and very specific details from the illustrations to transport us to Moominvalley. The story takes place in late autumn, which fits the plaintive mood of the story. The book was first published 55 years ago, but its portrayal of gender roles, and the very different expectations placed upon mothers and fathers, feels contemporary. Ultimately, it’s a story about six very different people coming together as a family.

Praise for Tove Jansson’s Moominvalley in November:

• “Genius” – Philip Pullman
• “A heartwarming and melancholic tale” – The Greatest Books 
• “Tove Jansson is a master” – Times Literary Supplement 

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