Family stage show with puppetry, songs and audience interaction bringing Rod Campbell's best-selling children's book 'Dear Zoo' to life.
Dear Zoo Live! comes to Devonshire Park Theatre on Wednesday 2 June 2027, as part of its national tour. It's a stage adaptation of Rod Campbell's lift-the-flap children's book, which first came out in 1982 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. If you've had it on your shelf for years, you'll know the story: Ben and Sally are on the lookout for the perfect pet, but the zoo keeps sending the wrong things — a far too big elephant, a far too grumpy camel and a far too jumpy frog.
Norwell Lapley Productions brought the book to the stage, and they've built the show around those original illustrations. It's brought to life with puppetry, songs and plenty of audience interaction, so the kids get to be part of it rather than just sitting and watching. It runs without an interval, which is a helpful detail when you're out with little ones — no half-time scramble for the toilets or a sudden meltdown during a break.
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It's aimed at children aged one and over, so it's a good shout for families with very young ones who might struggle with a longer show. The Eastbourne date is one stop on a national tour, so it's coming through as part of a wider run. Tickets start from £20, and the performance is a matinee at 1:30 pm, which keeps the whole thing well within the afternoon.
