Walking with Dionsaurs comes to Metro Radio Arena

Jul 8 2009 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

Smaller species, operated by puppeteers inside, scamper around the floor while the big relations are manoeuvred by a mechanism at the base which, at first, I found very distracting. But it’s cleverly done and they look remarkably real, with ‘skin’ rippling as they move.

It’s beautifully staged – changing flora, even a cloud of butterflies at one point – and the second half especially, which opened with an Ornithocheirus flying against a backdrop of rolling skies, had the audience enthralled as we watched a pair of fighting Torosaurus – steam blowing from their nostrils. A total of 10 species are represented, but that roaring T-Rex who hot foots it on stage to protect its baby sends a shiver down the spine.

Family-focused – even young children didn’t seem nervous – it’s educational too, setting the dinosaurs in context with the help of screens, lighting and sound effects reflecting climate changes then the moment of their extinction.

It’s a real treat, though a pricey one, at £20-£35 a ticket and a glossy programme (while informative and picture-packed) at £12.

In an age where children are used to high-tech wonders, those there last night loved it. As did their parents.

:: WALKING With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular is at Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, until Sunday.