On Elephant Appreciation Day, Children’s Touring Partnership announced the first UK Tour of Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo in an adaptation by Samuel Adamson, beginning at Chichester Festival Theatre on 10 February 2017. Michael Morpurgo’s novel, based on a true story, is brought to life in this award-winning production, which has been 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, tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty and of living for the moment.
“The puppetry is exquisite, with full-sized animals manipulated so they seem to breathe with documentary life.” – The Telegraph
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…
Running Wild Live is perfect for ages 6+. Running time 110m including interval.
Inspiration for Running Wild
Michael Morpurgo, the former children’s laureate and author of War Horse, was inspired by the real-life story of Amber Owen, who was on holiday in Phuket with her mother and stepfather in 2004, when she went on an elephant ride. While riding Ning Nong along the beach, the eight-year-old noticed the elephant was attempting to pull away from the receding sea water. “He ran away and, as the water came in, I was safely on his back. He saved my life.” When he read Amber’s story in the newspaper, Michael Morpurgo said it was the one bit of hope amid the destruction of the Boxing Day tsunami which hit South East Asia. The production will work to support the Born Free Foundation’s global elephant conservation projects.
Originated by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, when it won a prestigious UK Theatre Award, before receiving its London premiere at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Running Wild is co-directed by CFT’s Education Director Dale Rooks and Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Timothy Sheader, with set and costume design by Paul Wills, puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble, both previous Associate Puppetry Directors on War Horse, original songs and composition by Rod Paton, additional music by Nick Powell and Louise Anna Duggan, sound score by Nick Powell, and lighting design by Paul Anderson. Casting director for the UK Tour is Polly Jerrold, with original casting for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre by Jessica Ronane CDG.
The UK Tour of Running Wild has received Arts Council funding.
For more information, visit www.runningwildlive.co.uk.
Facebook: RunningWildLive
Twitter: @runningwildlive
Running Wild UK Tour Dates:
Chichester Festival Theatre
10-17 February 2017
www.cft.org.uk
01234 781312
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
22 – 25 February 2017
www.belgrade.co.uk
024 7655 3055
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
7 – 11 March 2017
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
0114 249 6000
Wycombe Swan
14 – 18 March 2017
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
01494 512 000
Hackney Empire, London
22 – 25 March 2017
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
020 8985 2424
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
4 – 8 April
www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
01253 290190
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
11 – 15 April
www.wyp.org.uk
0113 213 7700
The Lowry, Salford
18 – 22 April 2017
www.thelowry.com
0843 208 6000
Theatre Royal, Norwich
25 – 29 April 2017
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
01603 630000
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh
2 – 6 May 2017
www.edtheatres.com/kings
0131 529 6000
Newcastle Theatre Royal
9 – 13 May 2017
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
0844 811 2121
Theatre Royal Plymouth
16 – 20 May 2017 On sale soon
www.theatreroyal.com
01752 267 222
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
23 – 27 May 2017
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
01604 624811
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
31 May – 3 June 2017
www.marlowetheatre.com
01227 787787
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
6 – 10 June 2017
www.grandtheatre.co.uk
01902 429 212
