Tag Archives: Julia Donaldson

Warwick Castle welcomes back Julia Donaldson’s Zog

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Zog superfans at Warwick Castle will be able to slide into new adventures when the iconic venue becomes the ‘Realm of Zog’ with the launch of the world’s first Zog Playland on 9 April, and the return of the Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star interactive trail.

Following Zog’s roaring 2021 success at Warwick Castle, a Merlin Entertainments attraction, the new Zog Playland has been developed with the multiple award-winning production and brand-building company Magic Light Pictures.

The new land is inspired by the picture book Zog and the Flying Doctors by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, which also aired in 202o as an animated special  produced by Magic Light Pictures, and combines sensory and physical play elements for children up to the age of 10, as well as accessible activities.

The brand-new Playland will feature colourful dragons, dragon wing zip wires, crawl tunnels, rope swings, Princess Pearl’s Tower, and dragon slides. From interactive sand play and building pretend fires, to keeping the Lion’s cave warm and shopping at the imaginative play market stall for young budding doctors, Zog Playland will offer plenty of opportunities for children to immerse themselves into the imaginative world they know and love from the popular book and film.

The popular Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star trail will also return with some updates for the new season, and will offer children the chance to actually meet some of the key characters from the story, including Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout.

Ultimate Zog fans can extend their magical adventure to the evening with the returning Zog Stay and Play package from 27 February. Guests can choose from cosy Woodland Lodges to Medieval Glamping Tents where they will find special Zog goodies and then enjoy an exclusive storytime with one of Warwick Castle’s brave Knights or enchanting Princesses, and even spend time with Zog himself before bedtime

The new Zog Playland, as well as the Zog trail and other popular Castle attractions will be accessible with Warwick Castle’s annual Gold pass (£65pp) and Silver pass (off-peak only, £45pp).

Jamie Turner, Head of Marketing, says: “I am delighted we are able to continue to develop our product for younger children, which means the Castle has something to offer all the family, from preschool kids to grandparents. Zog has proven to be incredibly popular with our younger guests and is the perfect fit for Warwick Castle. We’re incredibly proud to become the realm of Zog for 2022 and beyond.”

Alex Sanson, Brand Manager, Magic Light Pictures, says: “Warwick Castle feels like the perfect setting for Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout. Rolling grounds for him to run about in, turrets for him to soar between, not to mention all the creatures that Princess Pearl’s assistants will be able to heal – we can’t wait for families to explore the new Playland and be fully immersed in Zog’s Realm.”

After a magical and action-packed day, retiring to The Knight’s Village for an overnight stay will offer guests a unique way to finish an unforgettable experience. Zog Stay and Play packages cost £149 for a family of four and include bed, breakfast and one-day park tickets on selected stay dates.

This latest announcement demonstrates the continued growth of Magic Light properties in location-based activations and follows on from this year’s announcement of the forthcoming The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo, the launch of Superworm trails at Forestry England and the Room on the Broom trail at Ushaw historic house and gardens in County Durham.

For more information head to www.warwick-castle.com.

 

Magic Light Pictures teams up with ODEON for festive family experience

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Magic Light Pictures and ODEON Cinemas have teamed up to bring a large selection of the multiple Oscar-nominated company’s animated specials to the big screen in the run-up to Christmas.

Since half term, double bills of half-hour family films have been rolling out in ODEON cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Screenings of the specials, based on the much-loved books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, are set to continue throughout December to provide the perfect way to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit.

A double bill of The Gruffalo’s Child and Stick Man is due to begin from 4 December, showing in 113 locations to run across the month.

A selection of  cinemas are also airing the specials through the week outside of the traditional weekend children’s screenings.

Hannah Jones, Magic Light Pictures Distribution Executive, says: “We are delighted to partner with ODEON cinemas to offer families throughout the UK and Ireland another chance to watch these wonderful films on the big screen, and recapture the magic of these timeless films. The fabulous immersive experience that ODEON provides for its cinemagoers will be key to bringing these films to life, and it will make for a fantastic family outing.”

Magic Light’s award-winning festive family specials have become a Christmas tradition on the BBC, where they are watched by millions every year. New for 2021 is Superworm, featuring a hero with a difference and a wonderfully entertaining villain who clash to thrilling effect. Superworm premieres on Christmas Day on BBC One.

Guide Dogs UK creates The Gruffalo scents to make story time inclusive for visually impaired children

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Magic Light Pictures and Macmillan Children’s Books have partnered with the sight loss charity, Guide Dogs to answer the age old question: what does the Gruffalo smell like?

Via this innovative new partnership, characters from the popular children’s book by Julia Donaldson – Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake, and the Gruffalo – will be brought to life in a series of scents developed to help make reading a story inclusive for the whole family.

Research has found that 80 per cent of how we learn is visual. Guide Dogs has therefore made the move to create a sensory version of the beloved 20-year-old story for the first time, helping children with visual impairment feel more included in the story.

Working in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books and Magic Light Pictures, the charity has created a scent kit that includes five inhalers, one for each character of The Gruffalo. The quick-witted mouse smells like cupcakes, the fox smells of cut grass, the owl smells like a freshly poured cup of tea, and the snake bring with it a smoky scent.

The Gruffalo himself carries with him a leathery barnyard smell that permeates from the depths of the deep, dark wood.

Kerry Kernan, Guide Dogs Children and Young People National Service Operations Manager, said: “Discovering a child has a vision impairment can be a worrying and confusing time for families, and we have a range of services to help. We hope that the universal appeal of The Gruffalo will help shine a light on how important it is to make things as inclusive as possible. Small adaptations and innovations can really help support families with a vision impaired child.

“Every year we help hundreds of families build their knowledge and confidence, and provide tools that are right for each family’s specific needs – whether that’s through enabling more moments like inclusive reading, or by providing services like habilitation support, education support or grants for parents and children to access new technology.

“We hope that this scent kit encourages more parents across the UK to reach out to us for help – and for more people to recognise and support the work we do with children and young people.”

Each scent in the kit was developed with the input of Guide Dogs service users to ensure they were at the heart of this.

Roger Whalley, Guide Dogs UK service user, said: “The support from Guide Dogs’ Children & Young People services has been life changing for our family. Not only in helping us navigate Josie’s sight loss journey, but also for building her confidence through teaching her life skills and providing opportunities for us to meet other families going through a similar experience.

“The Gruffalo is a much-loved story in our house, and we are thrilled that this scent kit will allow our daughter Josie who has visual impairment and our sighted son Wolf to be able to enjoy their favourite book together – something which I think most families rightly take for granted.”

Alyx Price, Associate Publisher at Macmillan Children’s Books, added: “We are so pleased to be working with Guide Dogs to help more children and families enjoy The Gruffalo. As publishers, we want to find ways for all children to access stories and this is a wonderful new way to enjoy books together.

“By interacting with the smells for these well-known characters, visually impaired children can now experience this favourite picture book and ‘meet’ the characters themselves.”

 In addition, Guide Dogs Specialist Education Support Team has developed a bank of resources specifically to support the parents of children with a vision impairment, this includes bringing books to life using touch and sound.

Olivia Colman and Matt Smith lead voice cast of Magic Light Pictures’ Superworm

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Magic Light Pictures is returning to the world of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler this Christmas with a new adaptation of the pair’s beloved story, Superworm for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

As usual, the adaptation has already attracted some of Britain’s best-loved stars, this time around seeing Oscar winner Olivia Colman lead a voice cast as narrator, with Emmy nominee Matt Smith signed up to play the titular hero, Superworm. The pair are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon as the Crow.

Further cast members will be revealed later on in the year.

Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.”

Smith added: “I’m delighted to play the part of Superworm and join such a fabulous cast of actors, artists and storytellers. What fun to be part of the BBC’s Christmas line up in this great children’s tale.”

The animated version of the popular story will mark Brydon’s ninth appearance in a Donaldson/Scheffler adaptation, who previously narrated Magic Light Pictures’ adaptation of The Highway Rat.

“Working on these Magic Light productions is always a delight and deciding how to voice characters is such fun. I love watching them on TV at Christmas – a lovely way to round off my year.”

Meanwhile, the half-hour animated special will mark a first for Sex Education’s Patricia Allinson, who has said she is “excited to become part of the tradition” that has placed Magic Light animations as “such an important part of the Christmas TV schedule.”

“Butterfly is a very determined character, and a loyal friend, so I am looking forward to recording a lot.”

Donaldson and Scheffler, the now famed creators of The Gruffalo, collaborated once again on this animated half hour, which has been acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer and Tommy Bulfin, commissioning editor, BBC Drama.

Magic Light has been providing festive family treats to BBC One for over a decade, and their films, based on the books by the award-winning duo, are among the most popular family titles on BBC iPlayer.

Superworm is the ninth TV adaptation of a Donaldson/Scheffler title for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The annual Magic Light Pictures films have become firm fixtures in the Christmas schedules. In the lead up to last Christmas, original festive idents featuring The Gruffalo and Zog book-ended shows on BBC One.

Superworm is being directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light Pictures. The composer is Rene Aubry, who has written the music for the collection of Magic Light films.

Tommy Bulfin, commissioning editor, BBC Drama said: “The Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations are a lynchpin of the Christmas schedule and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them and the award-winning Magic Light Pictures again this year. I can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with Superworm, who is super-long and super-strong.”

Martin Pope, co-founder of Magic Light Pictures, concluded: “We’re delighted to be making Superworm for BBC One. It’s a lovely comedy. Superworm’s a brilliant central character, who has great friends who will ultimately triumph over the wonderfully entertaining villain, in this delightful story based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.”

Olivia Colman and Matt Smith lead voice cast of Magic Light Pictures’ Superworm

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Magic Light Pictures is returning to the world of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler this Christmas with a new adaptation of the pair’s beloved story, Superworm for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

As usual, the adaptation has already attracted some of Britain’s best-loved stars, this time around seeing Oscar winner Olivia Colman lead a voice cast as narrator, with Emmy nominee Matt Smith signed up to play the titular hero, Superworm. The pair are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon as the Crow.

Further cast members will be revealed later on in the year.

Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.”

Smith added: “I’m delighted to play the part of Superworm and join such a fabulous cast of actors, artists and storytellers. What fun to be part of the BBC’s Christmas line up in this great children’s tale.”

The animated version of the popular story will mark Brydon’s ninth appearance in a Donaldson/Scheffler adaptation, who previously narrated Magic Light Pictures’ adaptation of The Highway Rat.

“Working on these Magic Light productions is always a delight and deciding how to voice characters is such fun. I love watching them on TV at Christmas – a lovely way to round off my year.”

Meanwhile, the half-hour animated special will mark a first for Sex Education’s Patricia Allinson, who has said she is “excited to become part of the tradition” that has placed Magic Light animations as “such an important part of the Christmas TV schedule.”

“Butterfly is a very determined character, and a loyal friend, so I am looking forward to recording a lot.”

Donaldson and Scheffler, the now famed creators of The Gruffalo, collaborated once again on this animated half hour, which has been acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer and Tommy Bulfin, commissioning editor, BBC Drama.

Magic Light has been providing festive family treats to BBC One for over a decade, and their films, based on the books by the award-winning duo, are among the most popular family titles on BBC iPlayer.

Superworm is the ninth TV adaptation of a Donaldson/Scheffler title for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The annual Magic Light Pictures films have become firm fixtures in the Christmas schedules. In the lead up to last Christmas, original festive idents featuring The Gruffalo and Zog book-ended shows on BBC One.

Superworm is being directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light Pictures. The composer is Rene Aubry, who has written the music for the collection of Magic Light films.

Tommy Bulfin, commissioning editor, BBC Drama said: “The Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations are a lynchpin of the Christmas schedule and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them and the award-winning Magic Light Pictures again this year. I can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with Superworm, who is super-long and super-strong.”

Martin Pope, co-founder of Magic Light Pictures, concluded: “We’re delighted to be making Superworm for BBC One. It’s a lovely comedy. Superworm’s a brilliant central character, who has great friends who will ultimately triumph over the wonderfully entertaining villain, in this delightful story based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.”

Magic Light Pictures teams with Royal Botanical Gardens to bring new Gruffalo Adventures trail to Kew

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Magic Light Pictures has teamed up with the Royal Botanic Gardens to launch a new Gruffalo Adventures trail in Kew Gardens’ striking Arboretum this October.

The Arboretum – home to 14,000 trees – will play host to author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s much-loved characters during the half-term holidays from Saturday, October 17th to Sunday, November 1 on a specially curated, interactive trail on which families can track down The Gruffalo.

On the autumn programme, families are invited to play the role of the ‘little brown mouse’ on a journey through Kew Gardens’ deep, dark wood. As they encounter more characters from the best-selling books and popular animated film adaptations, they can enjoy interactive activities, learn about different habitats and the marks we leave behind as humans in a woodland ecosystem, and enjoy autumn horticultural highlights.

There will also be timed appearances from a Gruffalo costumed character throughout the festival.

Wakehurst, RBG Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, will also host its own Gruffalo half-term programme. Among other activities, visitors will be able to follow a special Gruffalo trail through Wakehurst’s woodlands in all their autumnal colour and go on a hunt to find ingredients for a tasty Gruffalo crumble. A series of Gruffalo wild workshops for youngsters at Wakehurst during half-term saw huge demand and has already sold out.

Daryl Shute, brand director at Magic Light Pictures, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this partnership with RBG Kew. To bring The Gruffalo to this iconic, deep dark wood of West London is really exciting. By combining the beauty of Julia and Axel’s characters with the theme of ‘the marks we leave behind’, RBG Kew has created a really original activation, which guests will love for sure.”

Sandra Botterell, director of marketing and commercial enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew added: “We are thrilled to bring such an iconic tale to RBG Kew, in what is set to be a great adventure for families. The Gruffalo is a perfect fit for Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, and we hope visitors venturing through RBG Kew’s landscapes will be transported to Donaldson and Scheffler’s much-loved universe.”

Finally, Magic Light will be bringing Gruffalo magic to more deep dark woods with the launch of the Gruffalo Spotter augmented reality app at Forestry England sites from October 12. New Gruffalo Spotters trails for keen Gruffalo hunters will feature the amazing AR app along with a fun activity pack which will enable them to interact with all their favourite characters along an unmissable trail.