Full casting and rehearsal images have been released for the upcoming world premiere production based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book. 

As rehearsals for Mike Shepherd’s adaptation and production of the beloved book get underway, the full cast and creative team has been announced.

Playing at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 14th to the 23rd February prior to a UK tour, the cast for the production is set to include: 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 and Euan Wilson (Stick Man, UK Tour) as Madame Dragon, with Dixie McDevitt (National Youth Theatre alumni) as Ensemble. The production is also set to include handcrafted puppets designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.

Zog is directed by Mike Shepherd as well as featuring a 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). The creative team is completed by 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’sBrief Encounter) and movement and circus consultant Tina Koch.

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.  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 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 and Other Terrific Tales and Stick Man. Rose Theatre Kingston’s other forthcoming family productions include a brand-new staging of Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hatdirected by Suba Das featuring original new songs, and for Christmas a magical new adaptation of The Snow Queen written and directed by Ciaran McConville.

Zog will play at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 14th to the 23rd  February.