Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer – LIVE REVIEW! Search for the City of Lost Toys

Wow. Okay, we got back just now from a fabulous afternoon at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue – where we got to see Dora The Explorer Live – in her search for the City of Lost Toys.

Dora Stage 2012

 

What we love the most about Dora is how interactive it is – you’re invited to shout out and join in, and particularly in the case of M, yell at the top of your voice “SWIPER NO SWIPING!!!” in an absolutely brilliant way – it was a joy to watch, it really was. H was quite reserved to start with, though was soon dancing like a butterfly and pointing or shouting to Dora where things were, and got into the swing of it fairly quickly.

So, the story? It’s your usual Dora – something is wrong, it needs fixing and there’s two major obstacles as revealed by The Map which everyone must remember – this time she’s lost her teddy bear, so they need to get to the City of Lost Toys. There’s the familiar songs, lots of audience interaction an interval of 20 minutes (which makes the total running time of the show an hour and a half – it started at 3.30 and was over by 5pm) and a fabulous ‘We Did It’ finale which I wont spoil (though the photos *may* give it away a little bit).Dora's Friends 2012

Dora’s friends are all present, so that’s Boots, Tico, Benny, Isa and of course Backpack and Map – as well as special appearances by Swiper the Fox and her cousin Diego (from the ‘Go Diego Go!’ series, of course).

Swiper the Fox

We were handed out a little star which is used a lot in the audience participation throughout the show – so keep yours safe if you’re going – you’ll need it more than once. The Official Programme folds out into a large poster too – so make sure you’ve got an A4 sized bag to take it home in if you don’t want to spoil it.

There’s plenty of merchandise on sale, though they didn’t take cards so we didn’t get anything (possibly a good thing so soon after H’s birthday, mind – she wanted a Boots doll) – everything is reasonably priced and not too expensive.Dora 2012 Merchandise

As far as the show goes, we were impressed with it – the characters mouths don’t move, so remain fixed the whole time, and it’s miming to an existing track rather than their own voices (which I’d never seen before), which took no time at all to get used to. Afterwards we were chatting about how as adults you find characters believable and it can be any kind of show – and how the Dora characters (especially Dora and Diego) were all excellent. My friend Heather who came with us has plenty of experience of this, having toured with Bob the Builder in the past – and was also impressed. We liked the numbers section and love how the show can have educational elements and keep the kids entertained – learning being fun is a very good thing.

More from Heather; “Tico and Benny were excellent too – I thought them and Diego were the best acting wise,  (if you can believe in someone in a huge stuffed costume at all!) but they were clearly all dancers (especially Boots) so lots of energy which is really important when in costume.  I’d have loved the finale to have gone on a bit longer as everyone seemed to be really getting into it then and it felt like it stopped a bit abruptly but that might just be me.”

Ultimately, the best reviews come from the fans – so that’ll be H and her friend M. Both loved it – we were able to ask them which parts were their favourite, and both were able to mention parts of the show we’d not thought of (H was particularly random with “Boots and his red bus”), as well as the other kids present. I loved the finale, it was a good end to a fun show and one that kept them amused too – with of course more obligatory shouting at Swiper.

Dora and the City of Lost Toys Finale

Dora The Explorer – LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys is showing NOW at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue – here’s the info:

Dates: 28 August – 16 September 2012
Performances : Monday – Sunday 10.30am/1.00pm/3.30pm*
*Please see full performance schedule on the website for dates with no 3.30pm performances
Ticket prices: £13.00, £18.00, £25.00 (premium)
Prices include a 50p restoration levy

Address: Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES
Box Office: 0844 412 4658
Website:
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
www.nimaxtheatres.com
www.nickjr.co.uk/

I received complimentary tickets for the show (though would have bought some anyway) – all opinions are our own and honest.

Ben and Holly Live on Stage!

BH_Logo_20x15-300x225 Quite frankly, if you don’t watch Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, then you are missing out – it’s one of those rare cartoons that as an adult, I find myself laughing along to as well, so given that it’s now coming to the stage, and – and this is the best bit of all – there’s an unplanned JELLY FLOOD! (I’m dying to see how they do this) – how could you possibly miss this?

Ben and Holly's Little KingdomThe Little Kingdom – where everyone is very, very small – is home to Princess Holly and her best friend Ben Elf. Holly is a young fairy princess who is still learning how to do magic properly and sometimes her spells don’t work out quite right. Ben is an Elf. Elves don’t do magic but they are very good at making things. Ben doesn’t have wings like Holly but he flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird.

In this exciting new musical adventure, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston clean up his messy cave; they go on a trip to The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum; and still have time to plan a surprise for King Elf’s birthday party, complete with an unplanned jelly flood.

Packed full of games, songs and laughter, this is an enchanting and magical visit to the Little Kingdom, live on stage for the very first time. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family.

Tickets are on sale now for all 2012 dates, with some 2013 announced – read on! We’ve bought our tickets for Wimbledon, and can’t wait.

BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM UK TOUR 2012 – 2013
www.benandhollylive.com
@benandhollylive

FRI 26 – SUN 28 OCTOBER THE ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Fri 26 at 4 pm
Sat 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 28 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 31 OCT – THURS 1 NOVEMBER NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
Wed 31 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 1 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 3 – SUN 4 NOVEMBER THE ANVIL, BASINGSTOKE
Sat 3 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 4 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 7 – THURS 8 NOVEMBER YORK BARBICAN
Wed 7 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 8 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 10 – SUN 11 NOVEMBER PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT
Sat 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 14 – THURS 15 NOVEMBER PAVILION THEATRE, WORTHING
Wed 14 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 15 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 17 – SUN 18 NOVEMBER THE GROVE, DUNSTABLE
Sat 17 at 4 pm
Sun 18 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

2013

WED 16 – THURS 17 JANUARY VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO
Wed 16 at 4 pm
Thurs 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 19 – SUN 20 JANUARY THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM
Sat 19 at 10.30 am & 1.30 pm
Sun 20 at 11 am & 2 pm

TUES 22 – WED 23 JANUARY ASSEMBLY THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Tues 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 26 – SUN 27 JANUARY BECK THEATRE, HAYES
Sat 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 29 – WED 30 JANUARY NEW THEATRE, HULL
Tues 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 30 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 2 – SUN 3 FEBRUARY CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 2 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 3 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 6 – THURS 7 FEBRUARY CHARTER THEATRE, PRESTON
Wed 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 9 – SUN 10 FEBRUARY PALACE THEATRE, SOUTHEND
Sat 9 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 10 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 13 – THURS 14 FEBRUARY G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Wed 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 16 – SUN 17 FEBRUARY WATFORD COLOSSEUM
Sat 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 19 – WED 20 FEBRUARY MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Tues 19 at 4 pm
Wed 20 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

FRI 22 – SAT 23 FEBRUARY BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY
Fri 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 23 at 10.30 am & 1 pm

WED 27 – THURS 28 FEBRUARY WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON
Wed 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 28 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 2 – SUN 3 MARCH RICHMOND THEATRE
Sat 2 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 3 at 10 am & 1 pm

More/
WED 6 – THURS 7 MARCH ASSEMBLY ROOMS, DERBY
Wed 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 9 – SUN 10 MARCH THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINE
Sat 9 at 4 pm
Sun 10 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 13 – THURS 14 MARCH PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY
Wed 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 16 – SUN 17 MARCH OPERA HOUSE BUXTON
Sat 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 17 at 11 am & 2 pm

TUES 26 – WED 27 MARCH ST ALBANS ARENA
Tues 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 29 – SAT 30 MARCH MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY
Fri 29 at 4 pm
Sat 30 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

TUES 2 – WED 3 APRIL DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER
Tues 2 at 4 pm
Wed 3 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 10 – THURS 11 APRIL ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF
Wed 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 13 – SUN 14 APRIL HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO
Sat 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 16 – WED 17 APRIL OCTAGON THEATRE, YEOVIL
Tues 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 19 – SAT 20 APRIL KING’S THEATRE, SOUTHSEA
Fri 19 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 20 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 23 – WED 24 APRIL CAPITOL THEATRE, HORSHAM
Tues 23 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 24 at 1 & 4 pm

FRI 26 – SAT 27 APRIL MARINA THEATRE, LOWESTOFT
Fri 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 1 MAY KING GEORGE’S HALL, BLACKBURN
Wed 1 at 1 & 4 pm

SAT 4 – SUN 5 MAY HEXAGON THEATRE, READING
Sat 4 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 5 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 8 – THURS 9 MAY GORDON CRAIG THEATRE, STEVENAGE
Wed 8 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 9 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 15 – THURS 16 MAY BRISTOL HIPPODROME
Wed 15 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 16 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 18 – SUN 19 MAY GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA
Sat 18 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 19 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 22 – THURS 23 MAY GRAND THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON
Wed 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 25 – SUN 26 MAY THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW
Sat 25 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 26 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 29 – THURS 30 MAY CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON
Wed 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 30 May at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 1 – SUN 2 JUNE KING’S THEATRE, EDINBURGH
Sat 1 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 2 June at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 5 – THURS 6 JUNE LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL
Wed 5 at 1.30 & 4.30 pm
Thurs 6 at 1.30 & 4.30 pm

SAT 8 – SUN 9 JUNE GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL
Sat 8 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 9 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 12 – THURS 13 JUNE HARROGATE THEATRE
Wed 12 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 13 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 19 – THURS 20 JUNE CORN EXCHANGE, BEDFORD
Wed 19 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 29 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 22 – SUN 23 JUNE CORN EXCHANGE, KING’S LYNN
Sat 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 29 – SUN 30 JUNE FLORAL PAVILION, NEW BRIGHTON
Sat 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 30 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 6 – SUN 7 JULY HACKNEY EMPIRE, LONDON
Sat 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 10 – THURS 11 JULY THEATRE ROYAL, BRIGHTON
Wed 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 27 – SUN 28 JULY PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Sat 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 28 at 10 am & 1 pm