by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
It’s hard not to be mystified and enchanted at the sights, sounds and spirit of How to Train Your Dragon LIVE. The impressive touring stage show from Dreamworks features an epic sized cast of 23 dragons that breath fire and fly, on wingspans of up to 46 feet.
The magical story follows a young Viking named Hiccup who navigates a mythical world among friends, family and of course, DRAGONS. Hiccup is learning the time honored tradition of dragon training and upon catching his first, he ends up befriending the beast instead of killing it and tries to teach the same compassion to his fellow Vikings.
Sarah McCreanor, who plays Hiccups fiesty and determined friend Astrid told us that it is “exciting to tour this way,” and travel the world telling a story that reaches both children and adults alike. Astrid sticks by Hiccup’s side and McCreanor says that the show is a “great journey” and she treasures getting to fly by Hiccup’s side each night atop Toothless the dragon.
The media immersive show is classic of Dreamworks style, incorporating a video wall the size of 9 movie screens to add an animated backdrop to all that the live characters presented.
“I forget they’re robots” she added of the massive robots who are admittedly the stars of the show. Massive wings, as long as 50 feet, 20 feet tall and weighing in at up to 2.6 tons. It takes thirty trucks to move the entire tour and so it’s hard to consider these giants beasts to be imaginary at all.
Produced by DreamWorks Animation, RZO Dragon Productions and Global Creatures (the masterminds behind Walking with Dinosaurs) and presented by S2BN Entertainment, the show filled the Verizon Center.
Watch the Trailer:
