The creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago are the stars of DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE, an incredible stage show that is now playing at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto. With the added bonus of being educational, wonderment is what kids and adults will get out of this entertaining production by Australian company Erth. An informative, fun and interactive journey through the paleo world leads you through some of the most fascinating facts about our dinosaur friends.
Spectacular dinosaurs are presented in forms of elaborate puppetry. This isn’t Barney, people. We are talking life-like puppets in the vein of War Horse. Our host explains to the audience that the “puppets” were created with the help of palaeontologists and a keen eye for details. The show eases the audience in with the adorable baby dinosaurs and then builds the anticipation to the highly detailed and bigger species that don’t disappoint!
This new production feature sixteen creatures on stage, including the awesome Triceratops which was created uniquely for the North American tour.
DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE is the creation of one of Australia’s most innovative and creative companies, Erth Visual & Physical, Inc., who bring the impossible to life. For over 21 years, the company has developed a truly fantastic aesthetic and an extraordinary box of tricks, which now serve as the foundations of its unique visual and physical theatre work. Their work ranges from large-scale interactive environments such as “The Garden”, a prehistoric landscape inhabited by giant insects which premiered at the Melbourne International Festival of Arts, to more intimate in-theatre work and roving spectaculars. The company regularly tours internationally and more than a million people have seen its dinosaurs in museums, and in performance works such as Radio Lab’s Apocalyptical, Dinosaur Petting Zoo and DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE.
I brought my 9 year old son to the show and we were both captivated by the sights and sounds. The show was entertaining and informative. I would recommend sitting as close as you can to the stage because the detailing on the creatures is truly amazing. After the show, kids are invited to meet and pet the baby dinosaurs in the lobby of the theatre. Get your cameras ready!
DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE is onstage at the Panasonic Theatre (Toronto) until July 27, 2014. Tickets are $25-$35. Visit www.mirvish.com
Here’s a video link that captured the reaction of kids who attended opening night…
[youtube id=”gjpX8NRmVzE”]
Leave a Reply