A Children's Theatre Partnership, Chichester Festival Theatre and Regent's Park Theatre co-production of

Running Wild

by Michael Morpurgo

UK Tour 2017

Michael Morpurgo’s novel, based on a true story, was brought to life in this award-winning production, described by critics as ‘inspiring’, ‘evocative, ‘imaginative’ and ‘life-affirming’. Originally produced by Regent’s Park Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, this epic production, complete with spectacular life-size puppets, told an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty and of living for the moment.

Running Wild is the story is of a girl named Lilly, who, whilst on holiday with her mother in Indonesia, takes an elephant ride. During the ride, Oona, the elephant, suddenly becomes anxious and runs from the beach deep into the jungle. With Lilly on her back, they escape moments before the tsunami hits the island. Miles from civilisation, at first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures with the orangutans, but, as thoughts turn to her mother left behind on the beach, and wild tigers prowl, and hunger hits, Lilly must now learn to survive the rainforest. And then the hunters come…

Photos

Photos: Johan Persson

Reviews

★★★★

“AUDACIOUS and IMAGINATIVE, stylishly directed and those puppets are things of never-ending beauty.

★★★★

“A CROWDPLEASER, mainly thanks to INSPIRING and ENERGETIC staging, namely some amazing puppet animals brought to beautifully articulated life.

★★★★

“Perfect – a brilliant feat of nerve and humour

★★★★

“Dazzling: the sung music effects of the sea from the chorus and the patter of rain, the huge blue material that represented the tsunami and enveloped the audience at one point took my breath away A BRILLIANT, LIFE-AFFIRMING SHOW.

Creatives

  • Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks
    Directors
  • Paul Wills
    Set and Costume Designer
  • Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre and Gimble
    Puppetry Designers and Directors
  • Rod Paton
    Original Songs and Composition
  • Nick Powell and Louise Anna Duggan
    Additional Music
  • Nick Powell
    Sound Score
  • James Whiteside
    Lighting Designer
  • Nick Sagar
    Sound Designer
  • Georgina Lamb
    Movement Director
  • Polly Jerrold
    Casting Director

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