Due to overwhelming demand, Rod Campbell’s best-selling classic lift-the- flap book, Dear Zoo, was adapted to a live action show on stage.

The live action show will be playing in Dubai from May 25 to 28, by Art For All, who believe that love for the theatre starts from the earliest ages and lasts a lifetime.

Committed to bringing world-class productions to serve all members of the community, Art For All put a special focus on family events, knowing that witnessing a magical stage performance can be a transformative experience for a young child and bring the whole family together.

The organization carefully selected some of UK’s most renowned family shows, usually stage adaptations of the most beloved children’s books, and made a plan to introduce them to the children in Dubai throughout the year.

Parents and children gave positive feedback to shows like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiger Who Came To Tea, so Dear Zoo is next in line of critically-acclaimed plays suitable for the youngest children.

The show was brought to life in 2018 as a brilliant stage production return to UK theatres in 2022.  

As a book Dear Zoo, has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and Dear Zoo live on stage! will continue to delight audiences since it opened on Feb. 5 at The Albany Theatre, Coventry. 

Celebrating 40 years in 2022, Dear Zoo, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, the story of a child who writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet, continues to delight each new generation of children as they lift the flaps in search of the perfect animal.

Written by Campbell, produced by Norwell Lapley Productions and directed by Michael Gattrell, Dear Zoo live on stage! is suitable for children aged 2+ years. Brought to life through child-engaging puppets, original music and lots of audience interaction, the show immediately appeals to families and children who already love the book and will serve as a wonderful introduction to those coming to the story for the first time.

Campbell is the Master of interactive storytelling and an expert in early learning for pre-schoolers. As a trusted household name, his books have stood the test of time and continue to be a staple addition to the family bookshelf and a popular choice for early years’ teachers. The creator of more than 200 books for children, Rod Campbell’s unique ability to be both fun and reassuring encourages children to discover and delight in the world around them.

Commenting on Dear Zoo live on stage! Campbell said, “I can hardly believe that Dear Zoo will be celebrated its 40th anniversary next year and I really am enormously touched and delighted that successive generations of young children continue to love Dear Zoo – their obvious pleasure when interacting with it is so gratifying to see, and for me is the very greatest of compliments.”