Bank Holiday family spectacular

Illyria will bring a Bank Holiday family spectacular to Lytham Hall next Sunday 26 August at 4.00 pm as the final show in a record-breaking season of open air theatre.

Dr. Dolittle and his menagerie of talking animals, are known to the present generation of children through the films starring Eddie Murphy and Illyria stalwart Edward Simpson will take the title role.

Children’s favourites Polynesia the parrot, Gub–Gub the pig and the mythical two-headed Pushmipullyu will all be on stage in an inventive mixture of puppets, marionettes and the actors themselves, as Illyria’s artistic director Oliver Gray displays all his acclaimed ingenuity

Illyria’s reputation for spectacular effects and audience involvement will be further enhanced this year by this very musical adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s 1920 children’s novel, with newly composed songs by Oliver Gray and the company’s musical director Richard Healey

The company of six come to Lytham towards the end of a very well-supported three month nationwide summer tour which has seen them at 80 outdoor different venues, including a week at the famous cliff-top theatre at Minack in Cornwall.

Theatre organiser at Lytham Hall Julian Wilde is advising families to book in advance after two full houses for The Merchant of Venice and the Pirates of Penzance.

“The response to Dr. Dolittle in the press and social media has been phenomenal all over the country. I think we can look forward to a real eye- opener, a Bank Holiday treat for all the family. The sold out signs are being prepared already.”

Gates open for picnics at 2 pm and the audience are asked to bring their own seating, whilst children can sit right at the front of the stage on rugs.

Details from Lytham Hall www.lythamhall.org.uk On line booking www.illyria.co.uk and www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk