Traveling back in time to a prehistoric land, Welsh National Opera’s fun and interactive family show, Play Opera LIVE is back, with a brand-new Jurassic theme. Entertaining and educational, this extremely popular show is suitable for all ages and is the perfect way to introduce your children to classical music. Ahead of Play Opera LIVE: Dinosaur Discoveries, let’s take a look at three of our favourite dinosaurs from stage and screen.
1. Blue from Jurassic World
Clever, cunning and loyal, Blue is a female velociraptor. After accepting the human trainer, Owen, as the leader of her pack, Blue and her sisters save the lives of all those visiting the Jurassic World dinosaur theme park, through tracking and hunting the dangerous Indominus Rex after it escapes.
With soaring strings, an atmospheric choir and a heroic motif, John Williams’s Jurassic Park Theme is the epic piece of music that enriches the action of this franchise. As part of Play Opera LIVE: Dinosaur Discoveries, you can relive Blue’s exhilarating hunt, or imagine that you’re walking side by side with these mighty creatures, as the fantastic WNO Orchestra perform this iconic theme tune.
2. Barney from Barney and Friends
Six foot tall with purple skin, a green tummy and yellow toes, Barney is a cheerful dinosaur who loves to sing and dance. Brought to life from the depths of a child’s mind, Barney teaches children about the joys of learning, helps them to find magic in their imagination, and encourages them to love unconditionally.
Music, especially singing, plays a central role in this ‘dinosaur sensation’ teaching. From catchy songs about brushing your teeth to snappy tunes that celebrate everyone’s uniqueness, this is a tv series that uses music as an educational tool, just like our Play Opera LIVE shows.
3. T-Rex from Bumpus Jumpus Dinosaurumpus by Tony Mitton
With its massive skull, long tail, and carnivorous appetite, it’s no wonder that the Tyrannosaurus Rex is often the most threatening and dangerous creature in dinosaur films. Yet in Tony Mitton’s book, Bumpus Jumpus Dinosaurumpus, this beast is far from intimidating. In this hilarious rhyming story, all dinosaurs, from the Triceratops to the Stegosaurus, are dancing, shaking, and jumping around in a party. When T-Rex gate-crashes the party, the other dinosaurs worry that he wants to eat them, but in fact, he just wants to dance.
As part of Play Opera LIVE: Dinosaur Discoveries, WNO Orchestra will perform a fun, musical adaptation of this ever-popular children’s book. With exhilarating, original narration from our incredible presenter, Tom Redmond. Prepare to sing, dance and stomp around, just like the dinosaurs in this book, as our vivid video projections bring these funny, prehistoric creatures to life right in front of your eyes.
No matter your age, if you love dinosaurs, singing and dancing to music, learning interesting facts, and taking part in free, fun activities, Play Opera LIVE: Dinosaur Discoveries is the perfect afternoon for you. Join us at Wales Millennium Centre on 11 September and Theatre Royal Plymouth on 30 October.
