Children’s Touring Partnership announced, on Elephant Appreciation Day (22 September), Blackpool will host Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo in an adaptation by Samuel Adamson.  

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.

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…

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.

In addition, special school’s performances of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild have been added on Wednesday 5 April 1:30pm and Thursday 6 April 10:30pm.

The UK Tour of Running Wild has received Arts Council funding.

Facebook: RunningWildLive
Twitter: @runningwildlive

Running Wild
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 April 2017

Book Now www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/running-wild/

Tuesday 7:00pm, Wednesday 1:30pm, Thursday 10:30am, 2:30pm, Friday 7:00pm, Saturday 2:30pm & 7:00pm

Tickets:
Evenings £20 to £25, Matinees £20
Family of 4 £50,
Friends of The Grand £5 off opening night
Concessions £3 off
Under 18s £3 off

Under 26s £12.50 (first 50 tickets, weekdays only; subject to availability)
Groups 10+ £4 off,Groups 50+ £5 off

Schools/Groups Schools rate of £9.50 (Wednesday 1:30pm, Thursday 10:30am)

BLACKPOOL, Grand Theatre
w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk | t. 01253 290190
For further information on Blackpool’s Grand Theatre please visit: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

To view the New Season click here: https://issuu.com/grandtheatreblackpool/docs/grand_brochure_autumm_2016/1?e=1149811/37681743