Volcanoes, earthquakes, giant prehistoric birds and the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex come almost within touching distance at "Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience," a large-as-life stage presentation based on a popular BBC series that appeared at the Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights. The dinosaur cast includes Plateosaurus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, the prehistoric bird Mothocheirus, Ankylosaurus and Torosaurus.
Background
Based on a popular BBC television series, "Walking with Dinosaurs" made its stage debut in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and was such a hit the company began touring in other countries, including the United States. As of 2010, more than 6 million people worldwide have watched "live" dinosaurs moving through their ancient habitats onstage. Through research, scientific input and creativity, the show draws the audience into the Triassic era, as dinosaurs first appeared, and takes them on a wild ride over 200 million years to the last of the Cretaceous Period, when dinosaurs became extinct.
Show Specifics
The entire production lasts 96 minutes and is presented in two acts separated by an intermission. The show requires large venues, because the 17 dinosaurs on stage are life-sized and need headroom and room to move about. Tyrannosaurus Rex alone is 23 feet tall and 42 feet long, and he is only the second-largest cast member. Master puppeteers manipulate some of the dinosaurs and live and recorded sounds help enhance the feeling that the dinosaurs are really alive. The animals' eyes glint, their skin moves and they vocalize as they forage and fight through the carefully decorated set.
Synopsis
The show covers the reign of dinosaurs from their rise in the Triassic Period about 245 to 208 million years ago, to their demise after the huge super-continents split into something like our present-day continents and a global event--possibly a comet or meteor colliding with the earth--resulted in the dinosaurs' extinction in the late Cretaceous Period. The show depicts not only the evolution of the dinosaurs, but of the earth itself as their habitat changes and shifts during the show, impacting the dinosaurs as they compete for food and dominance.
Considerations
While cameras are allowed at the performance, no flashes or video cameras may be used. We recommend the show for people ages three to 93. While dinosaurs interact with one another, sometimes loudly, there is no violence. The show is suitable for all ages, though infants and very young children may be startled by the sometimes sudden rise in noise level from the dinosaurs, erupting volcanoes and other sound effects.
Cost
As of September 2010, the cost for the exhibit was $25.50 per person for upper bleacher seats, $55.50 per person for floor and lower level seating, and $25.50 to $55.50 per person for upper-level seating.
Member Comments