Stuart played The Hemulen in Hans Jacob Hoegland’s adaptation of Tove Jansson’s famous last book of the Moomin Series, Moominvalley in November.

Moominvalley in November is a musical based on Tove Jansson’s final Moomin book, focusing on six strangers—Snufkin, Fillyjonk, Mymble, Hemulen, Grandpa Grumble, and young Toft—who arrive at the Moominhouse seeking the absent Moomin family, finding a temporary family in each other as they navigate loneliness, grief, and the transition from autumn to winter, learning resilience and connection. 

‘I can’t remember a better musical theatre ensemble on a pub theatre stage’ ★★★★ London Pub Theatres Magazine

The Hemulen played by Stuart Simons is approached in a gentler fashion, described as smelling of ‘old paper and worry’, but softening the character from moody and intolerant to concentration on creativity via developing a treehouse for Moominpapa, also invested in belonging to the group. Broadway World

The tinkering, over-organising Hemulen, charismatically depicted by Stuart Simons, is relieved to give up sailing, leaving the boat moored on the beach to Toft Musical Theatre Review