What's On | Dear Zoo
Dear Zoo Live artwork. Beige background. A group of Zoo animals play around the 'Dear Zoo. Live on Stage' logo and some colourful animal transport crates. The Dear Zoo logo reads: 'Norwell Lapley presents Dear Zoo Live on stage. Based on the classic book by Rod Campbell.' Text at the top of the image reads: 'Five stars. A must-see for fans of the book! - What's Good to Do'.
Dear Zoo production photo. A young performer wearing blue dungarees over a yellow long-sleeved top, with red ribbons in her pigtails, smiles at the camera.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. A young performer in a stripy red and white long-sleeved top mimes roaring next to a two-dimensional cut-out of an illustrated lion in a red crate. Behind, a painted red-brick wall.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand either side of a two-dimensional cut-out of an illustrated lion in a red crate. Behind, a camel in a blue crate, an elephant in a yellow crate, a giraffe in a green crate, a (closed) wicker snake basket atop an orange crate.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand either side of a giant two-dimensional cut-out of an illustrated elephant in a yellow wooden shipping container.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand either side of another performer, dressed in brown overalls, green wellies, and a hat labelled ‘zoo’. He is cradling a stuffed, plushie puppy, which the other two are petting.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand either side of an open basket which contains a huge plushie green snake.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand in front of a giant two-dimensional cut-out of a blue wooden shipping container. The head of a camel glares at them through a window.
Photo by Mark Senior
Dear Zoo production photo. Two brightly-dressed young performers stand either side of another performer, dressed in brown overalls, green wellies, and a hat labelled ‘zoo’. He is resting his hand on a pink cardboard box labelled ‘From the Zoo’, which sits atop a yellow crate.
Photo by Mark Senior

Norwell Lapley Productions presents

Dear Zoo

  • Show Information
  • Reviews

Dear Zoo the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage!

See our characters write to the Zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy.

Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Rod Campbell’s best-selling lift the flap book has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982. And has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.

This production will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Join us at the Northcott to see what the zoo has sent: the perfect pet – in the end!

‘A must-see for fans of the book, and for any young child who likes animals!’
★★★★★ Whatsgoodtodo.co.uk

‘A superb theatrical production.’
★★★★★ My Theatre Mates

‘This show is the perfect running time and there’s no interval, so momentum isn’t lost. If you’re looking for a family trip to the theatre, this is one of the best.’
★★★★★ Entertainmentviews.co.uk

Access performances

Tue 2 April
Sign language interpreted performance – Interpreted by Sarah Ankers – Provided by Complete Communication

“Absolutely brilliant show, this was the second time we’ve been and still just as enjoyable. The show is so well thought out and interactive to keep little ones occupied throughout. Well worth a visit!”

Audience Review

“Took my 3 year old daughter today and she absolutely loved it.”

Audience Review

“Went to see this in Coventry and little one loved it as did I! Would
definitely recommend!”

Audience Review

“Absolutely brilliant show – went to see it yesterday in Coventry, me and my little boy loved it!”

Audience Review

“Just seen your lovely show this morning with my 4 year old. Thank you for a really sweet, adorable and happy hour. We loved it.”

Audience Review

“My sons very first theatre show we watched in Coventry as Birmingham had sold out. My son loved the whole thing. Well done all!”

Audience Review

“Great show and venue for little children. Great opportunity to introduce live shows to toddlers.”

Audience Review

Map Venue MarkerNorthcott Theatre
Family, Theatre
Running time: 55 minutes, no interval
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Group Discount (10+)
Age guidance 2+

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Fri 10 May 2024 - Sun 12 May 2024
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What's On | Dear Zoo
Dear Zoo Live artwork. Beige background. A group of Zoo animals play around the 'Dear Zoo. Live on Stage' logo and some colourful animal transport crates. The Dear Zoo logo reads: 'Norwell Lapley presents Dear Zoo Live on stage. Based on the classic book by Rod Campbell.' Text at the top of the image reads: 'Five stars. A must-see for fans of the book! - What's Good to Do'.

Norwell Lapley Productions presents

Dear Zoo

  • Show Information

Dear Zoo the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage!

See our characters write to the Zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy.

Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Rod Campbell’s best-selling lift the flap book has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982. And has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.

This production will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Join the animals at the Northcott to see what the zoo has sent: the perfect pet – in the end!

“A must-see for fans of the book, and for any young child who likes animals!”
★★★★★ Whatsgoodtodo.co.uk

“A superb theatrical production”
★★★★★ My Theatre Mates

“This show is the perfect running time and there’s no interval, so momentum isn’t lost. If you’re looking for a family trip to the theatre, this is one of the best.”
★★★★★ Entertainmentviews.co.uk

Map Venue MarkerNorthcott Theatre
Family, Theatre
Running time: 55 minutes, no interval
Group Discount (10+)

You may also like:

Happy Father's Day artwork. Black background. Dani Harris-Walters (a young black man wearing a blue jumpers and black trousers) forms a straight line with his body, arms by his sides. He is tilted at a diagonal angle. In the top left corner, text that is formed out of illustrated sperm reads 'Happy Father's Day'.
Happy Father’s Day
Wed 08 May 2024
Northcott Theatre
Take a look Book tickets
Jackie Fabulous photo. Jackie Fabulous, a black woman with long brown braided hair, wearing a denim shirt over a black top, smiling. She is stood in front of tinsel covered wall.
Jackie Fabulous: Full Circle
Thu 09 May 2024
Barnfield Theatre
Take a look Book tickets
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book artwork. Illustrated. A light green grassy field, in front of forests and mountains. A castle sits in front of the mountain peaks. O the grassy field, (left to right) a green dragon, and orange frog sitting on a stack of books, a bear, a pirate, a knight in medieval armour and a parrot circle around a young boy wearing a red and white striped shirt and blue jeans sitting in a yellow chair with a repeating leaf and parrot pattern. Above, text reads (top to bottom): ‘A musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book.’ Below this text, a crocodile tears apart a book. Other books lie on the right side of the crocodile in the grass.
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
Fri 10 May 2024 - Sun 12 May 2024
Northcott Theatre
Take a look Book tickets

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