Audiences in Merseyside will have the chance, on Tuesday, 31st May and Wednesday, 1st June, to enjoy the final magic ever conceived by the much loved, much missed Paul Daniels.
The magic was created especially for the brand new musical children’s show Don’t Dribble on the Dragon and will be performed by the cast at The Epstein Theatre.
This will be the premiere run of the latest musical production from the award-winning People’s Theatre Company which specialises in fantastical, original drama and music for three to eight year olds – and grown-ups too.
Following an 18-month creative partnership with Daniels, first struck up when they met on tour while he was in panto in Gravesend, the company is determined the show should be a fitting tribute to the years he spent delighting people of all ages with his astonishing illusions.
This spectacular musical escapade is the feel-good story of young brothers Jack and Tom, and is all about growing up and the importance of family. It’s a wonderful mix of fun, pathos, instantly singalong songs – and of course, Daniels’ jaw-dropping magic trickery.
Tom is a teething toddler with a cool older brother, a secret dragon… and a dribbling problem that just won’t stop! When Tom’s endless drooling threatens to tear the brothers’ friendship apart can their dragon’s amazing magic help them put it back together again or will it only end up making things worse?
Daniels’ technical brilliance conjures up such amazements as the fire-breathing dragon, lights that appear from thin air, a magical sponge cake and gravity defying mangoes!
Don’t Dribble on the Dragon is the latest family musical by Steven Lee and is based on his latest book. Steven, 43, is the multi-talented actor and artistic director of The People’s Theatre Company and stars in the show as teenage brother Jack, a role for which he’s had to perfect his skateboarding techniques with gruelling daily training over the last few months!
Steven is also the highly acclaimed writer and producer of a string of other five star children’s shows including Bink and The Hairy Fairy, Santa In Love and the long running family pop musical The Witch’s Bogey. Several of his books have also been adapted for the stage including the best-selling How The Koala Learnt To Hug.
Steven is joined onstage by James Mitchell, 36, who plays his younger brother Tom. James is a hugely accomplished actor with no fewer than five CBeebies Live tours under his belt and as an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle, James is a huge fan of Paul Daniels too.
Our scaly heroine, Kate Powell, 28, hails from Caerphilly, but actually turns out to be a Scottish, rather than a Welsh dragon, and proudly sports a tartan Tam O’Shanter. A perfect foil for the boys, Kate is a death-defying rollerskater and has expert skills in stage combat. Between shows, she adores knitting, but avoids passing by carpet shops at all costs: she has an unusual, but very real phobia of them. Presumably she won’t be starring in Aladdin any time soon!
Paul Daniels sadly died just before the show was completed, so the final technical advice and finishing touches were added by no less than the President of The Magic Circle himself, Scott Penrose.
At the end of each show, as an extra treat, Steven and the cast will be available to sign copies of Don’t Dribble on the Dragon, the heart-warming picture book with illustrations by Shalini Vadivelu. They can be bought at the theatre, priced £5.99 or in advance (or afterwards) from Amazon and all good bookshops.
General Manager of the Epstein Theatre, Rebekah Pichilingi said, “We’re really proud to be the venue for the world premiere of this beautiful book. It has an important message and it is presented in a fun and light-hearted way.
“It’s also a great way to entertain the children during the May school holidays! With magical fun filled musical with sing along songs and lots of interaction for adults and children of all ages to enjoy, it provides the perfect family day out!”
Tickets are on sale now for this mesmerising new musical! To book tickets call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the theatre box office (open 2-6pm Monday-Thursday, 12-6 Friday-Saturday).
Tickets: Adult £12, Children £10, Family (2 adults & 2 children) £40.