Thomas & Friends Live!

ThemeSTAR, HIT Entertainment and Pacific Entertainment present

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage, currently touring the USA and coming to New Zealand in October, is a 90-minute live musical adventure based on the delightful stories of Thomas and Friends. For over 60 years, millions of children around the world have enjoyed the stories of Thomas & Friends through books, the popular television series, toys and DVDs and now for the first time they can see their favourite characters on stage.

"Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage is a phenomenal production that the entire family will enjoy," says Jim Millan, the show's writer and director. "It has wonderful props, beautiful costumes and scenery and is accompanied by great singing, choreographed dancing and special effects - all the elements that make good theatre. We use a narrator similar to the one on the television series, to make it easy for young audience members to follow the storyline."

A story of friendship, discovery and cooperation, Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage sees our hero Thomas and his friend Percy having to work together with the other Really Useful Engines to "save the day" when a big storm disrupts the Island of Sodor's Magic Lantern Festival. By helping each other they manage to enable the Festival to go on as planned.

The trains - three-dimensional models with animatronic faces - move about on stage and interact with each other, their drivers and engineers. "The trains are the most popular characters by far," Millan continues. "When Thomas first appears on stage, the audience screams, claps and yells 'Thomas! Thomas!' It is so incredible to see."

A company of eight multi-talented performers will bring to life the roles of the Fat Controller, the engineers and townspeople of the Island of Sodor.

Music plays a dominant role in Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage. There are seven popular Thomas & Friends songs in the show, including "Good Morning" and "Really Useful Engine" plus a new tune written especially for the live stage production. Audience members are encouraged to sing-a-long, as well as interact with the trains and cast by clapping and "peeping" their horns at key moments.

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage has been delighting children and their families across the US and is certain to enchant young and old audiences in New Zealand as well.

"ThemeSTAR is committed to bringing the highest quality live entertainment to families worldwide, says promoter Mark Avery. "We are delighted to be working with Pacific Entertainment on this exciting, interactive and inspiring production that is supreme entertainment for a new generation of Thomas lovers. With three trains and a magnificent huge set, this is exciting leading-edge musical theatre for all children and their parents."

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