Prehistoric histrionics enthrall at arena

Walking with Dinosaurs is a monster of a production that leaves audiences quivering in awe, excitement and fear.
Dinosaur King: The T-rex star of Walking With Dinosaurs will roar back to life at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, March 28 to April 1.Dinosaur King: The T-rex star of Walking With Dinosaurs will roar back to life at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, March 28 to April 1.
Dinosaur King: The T-rex star of Walking With Dinosaurs will roar back to life at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, March 28 to April 1.

The epic arena show features truly spectacular, and almost alarmingly realistic dinosaurs.

Some of the colossal ‘puppets’ used in the show seemed to fill the cavernous Motorpoint Arena, with a deafening soundtrack of roars and groans to match.

The plot of the show is fairly straightforward, as an actor summarises the history of the dinosaurs, and we the audience travel through time with him, stopping off at various stages to meet the impressive beasts.

It’s enthralling, as our intrepid expert scampers out from under the feet of a giant beast, it’s easy to get swept up in the story.

But often, there is no need for narration, and the hugely impressive dinosaur creations play out their own story.

It’s a story that somehow manages to tug on the heartstrings from the outset, the cold hard facts of science and history giving way to the emotion of a mother protecting her young with varying success.

And there are moments of humour, when an enormous Brachiosaurus sweeps it’s long neck towards the audience to munch on some foliage, or when a baby Tyrannosaurus attempts to mimic an adult’s war cry.

Some of the dinosaurs are controlled remotely, while others feature human ‘drivers’, but all are exquisite in their detail and design, and compelling in action.

The use of giant screens helps to set the scene, as do the stage props, with trees sprouting before our very eyes and vegetation popping out of rocks.

For once, an arena show really does cater for all ages – and although smaller children may be midly distressed with some of the harsher realities of nature, and some of the facts and figures may go over their heads, the ‘action scenes’ are gripping enough to keep them engaged from start to finish.

The ‘arena spectacular’ continues its tour of the UK, coming to the Capital FM Arena from 15th to 19th May.

For more details visit http://www.dinosaurlive.com/