Zog flies into Carlisle's Sands Centre next week

Ben Locke as Blue Dragon, Danny Hendrix as Zog and Eliza Waters as Pink Dragon <i>(Image: Mark Senior)</i>
Ben Locke as Blue Dragon, Danny Hendrix as Zog and Eliza Waters as Pink Dragon (Image: Mark Senior)
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Zog, based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, will be coming to the stage in Carlisle next week. 

The stage adaptation from Freckle Productions comes to The Sands Centre for six performances from Thursday 6 to Saturday, July 8.

A spokesperson said: "Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know.

News and Star: Louise Grayford as Madam DragonLouise Grayford as Madam Dragon (Image: Mark Senior)

Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three.  Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great!

"Zog is one of the best-loved creations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the UK’s number one picture book pair behind many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which has been published in 75 languages. Together their books have sold over 75 million copies.

News and Star: The full company The full company (Image: Mark Senior)

"First published in 2010, Zog won the Galaxy National Children’s Book of the Year Award. It has since sold over 1 million copies and has been published in 19 languages. 

"On Christmas Day 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered an animated film of Zog on BBC One featuring an all-star cast including Sir Lenny Henry and Rob Brydon.

"Zog is adapted for the stage by Freckle Productions, who are pioneers in imaginative storytelling for children.

"They are best known for their adaptations of classic Julia Donaldson titles including Stick Man, Tiddler and other Terrific Tales and Zog and the Flying Doctors.

News and Star: Ben Locke as Blue Dragon, Danny Hendrix as Zog and Eliza Waters as Pink DragonBen Locke as Blue Dragon, Danny Hendrix as Zog and Eliza Waters as Pink Dragon (Image: Mark Senior)

"The 2023 cast features Danny Hendrix as Zog, Lois Glenister as Pearl, Ben Locke as Gadabout and Louise Grayford as Madam Dragon, with Eliza Waters as Pink Dragon/Woodland Creatures and Rhys Wild as Swing.

"The cast bring the world of Zog to life with handcrafted puppets designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.

"Zog is adapted and directed by Emma Kilbey with songs by Joe Stilgoe. It is designed by Katie Sykes with lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, puppetry design by Lyndie Wright, orchestrations by Paul Herbert and musical direction by Bobby Delaney."

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