The dinosaurs are coming - Liverpool 1 prepares for Jurassic invasion

VISITORS to Liverpool 1 will be transported back millions of years; via the latest technology; when a futuristic dinosaur hunt launches this Spring. Everyone who comes to the retail destination will have the chance to chase Raptors, follow Apatasauruses and, of course, hide from the mighty T.Rex, as part of a new Dinosaurs Unleashed augmented reality app; a 1st for the City. In addition to the interactive game, there will also be dinosaurs on Chavasse Park, providing the ultimate selfie spot; real life rangers on hand to help young visitors to get the most out of their experience and lots of surprises popping up around Liverpool 1 during the 10 week "invasion." Liverpool 1 has teamed up with a crack team of dinosaur educationalists to provide all the prehistoric know-how any would-be palaeontologist needs. Teach Rex work with School children across the country bringing the pre-historic era to life in the classroom. National Museums Liverpool is also working with Liverpool 1 and has welcomed children to its Dinosaur Gallery at the World Museum in William Brown Street since 1987.

Donna Howitt, Marketing Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "This app is 1 of our most ambitious and exciting ventures yet; and is a 1st for Liverpool.  We are sure visitors will love it; it promises to be lots of fun for every member of the family; whilst being educational at the same time. Chavasse Park will be transformed to a real-life Jurassic Invasion and there will be something new and exciting popping up across the estate throughout the 10 week experience. It's absolutely fantastic to be working with other partners on this too, including Teach Rex and National Museums Liverpool. There's such a wealth of expertise on this fascinating subject and we're delighted to be bringing their talents together for visitors to enjoy in this new and unique way."

The interactive experience, which launches on 29 March 2019, will run until June 2019. Visitors will be able to download the app and collect points as they hatch dinosaurs from giant eggs within Liverpool 1 via a range of augmented reality features. Participants will even be able to play with their dinosaurs at home; and are encouraged to keep their pre-historic friends well fed and well exercised.

Cast announced for 'Zog' and 1st look at the puppets

THE full cast and creative team for the world premiere stage adaptation of Zog has been announced. The production is based on the book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, and rehearsal images have also been released as a sneak preview ahead of the show's visit to Chester as part of its UK Tour.

Zog comes to Storyhouse, from Friday, 5 April to Sunday, 7 April 2019, for 6 performances only. Tickets are on sale now.

The cast features:- Elliot MacKenzie (professional debut) as Zog; Emily Benjamin (Bat Out Of Hell) as Princess Pearl; Robert Ginty (Salome and Coriolanus, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Sir Gadabout the Great; Euan Wilson (Stick Man, UK Tour) as Madame Dragon; and Dixie McDevitt (National Youth Theatre alumni) as Ensemble.

The cast of actor puppeteers will 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 Mike Shepherd (founder and Artistic Director of Kneehigh), with an original folk score by Johnny Flynn (currently starring in:- 'True West' in the West End), and designs by Katie Sykes (Jane Eyre at the National Theatre).

Completing the creative team are movement director Tom Jackson Greaves (Billionaire Boy, UK Tour), lighting designer Ric Mountjoy (The Play that Goes Wrong), sound designer Julian Starr (Violet, Charing Cross Theatre), puppet designer Lyndie Wright (Little Angel Theatre), puppet director Sarah Wright (Kneehigh's Brief Encounter), and movement and circus consultant Tina Koch.

Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at:- Madam Dragon's School, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years 1, 2 and 3. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with a knight, Sir Gadabout the Great! Zog promises to be roaring fun for all ages.

Zog is produced by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston. Freckle Productions' most recent show is:- 'Tabby McTat,' an adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson, following their acclaimed productions of:- 'Tiddler,' 'Other Terrific Tales' and 'Stick Man.'

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the UK's number 1 picture book pair and are creators of many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which is in 75 languages.

Zog was first published in 2010 and won the Galaxy National Children's Book of the Year Award. It has gone on to become a perennial bestseller.

On Christmas Day 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered an animated film of Zog on BBC1 featuring an all star cast, following their award winning films:- 'The Gruffalo,' 'Room on the Broom' and 'Stick Man.'

Zog is suitable for children and families of all ages and runs from Friday, 5 April 2019 to Sunday, 7 April 2019. Tickets for Zog are on sale now, ₤16 for adults and ₤14 for children. Each ticket is subject to a ₤1.50 booking fee. For tickets go to:- StoryHouse.Com or call on:- 01244 409 113, but you can also call in and visit the Ticket Kiosks, at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR.