Gruffalo writer’s Highway Rat given Cornish language makeover

A children’s animation by the writer of The Gruffalo has been dubbed into the Cornish language.

The Highway Rat was originally released in 2017 as a 25-minute BBC One Christmas special, based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson.

Screen Cornwall has worked with the film’s creators, Magic Light Pictures, to make a Cornish language version.

Director Edward Rowe, who also acted in the film, said it was “really wonderful” children could learn more about Kernewek through the animation.

He said he had “really loved” the original English version of the film, which starred David Tennant, Rob Brydon and Nina Sosanya.

Rowe, who has also starred in Netflix’s The Witcher and the BAFTA-winning feature film Bait, said it was an honour to work with a talented Cornish cast and crew, adding: “It was really, really good fun.”

Laura Giles, from Screen Cornwall, said: “We know it’s really important to see content that they know and love in Kernewek.”

“It’s a real pleasure to bring Cornish acting and voice talent to animation of that high quality.”