For most kids, there’s something inherently exciting about dinosaurs. Even if they have been extinct for several millennia, they continue to inspire the imagination of a bygone era. It’s easy to imagine wandering around as a t-rex is stomping around or a stegosaurus is biting into a plant. With so many fantasies abounding, it only feels right that something like Dinosaur World Live would hit the sweet spot. Designed in the style of an hourly zoo exhibition, the cast and crew introduce the young audience members to a world of wonder as several creatures wander the stage, filling the afternoon with excitement and information.
There is one question that can’t help but be asked: how does one bring dinosaurs to life? There is an enthusiastic guide who claims to have been dropped on an island and is researching and caring for various dinosaur species that roam around her. Along with a clever plot device that features a hatching egg that occurs sporadically throughout the story, she introduces everyone to the world in a manner that seems effortless. From the first moments, she’s able to control when everyone will laugh and cry. For a show that features interactive components, it’s a well-oiled machine that provides a sense of whimsy as various children are encouraged to come to the stage and interact with the dinosaurs. Don’t worry. Nobody has been hurt by these ancient creatures.
But the question remains. How does it work? If the show has one undeniable attraction, it’s the puppetry. Credit should be made to a variety of behind the scenes talents who help to make the dinosaurs move with convincing fluidity. It’s there in how well designed each creature is. Some may be small and soar across the stage randomly, but others will be several times larger than the audience. At the same time, credit must be given to the operators who manage to navigate the stage with ease as two-to-four legged creatures interact with the guide. There’s even some personification for humor, such as having dinosaurs snore or react in very childish ways. Everything balances nicely to create a mesmerizing sense of curiosity for everyone in the audience.
If there’s some criticism, it’s arguably that the show is sometimes too ambitious. While it’s easy to get caught up in the awe of the props and nature of the spectacle, certain elements may fly over the audience’s head. This isn’t meant as questioning the information given, but more the presentation. Because of how much stimulation is happening at any given moment, it may be difficult to retain information around the featured dinosaurs. Outside of the classic names, the more obscure ones – who are still cool to look at – may suffer from complicated names and details that get buried as more information is provided. It should be noted that despite this, the cast does a great job of visually conveying their personalities and traits.
Another thing that may be questionable for certain audience members is the finale. It’s true that most could understand a dinosaur show to feature some scary elements. Most of the program lacks anything that could be considered harrowing. However, the finale may rattle some. Even if it’s perfectly alluded to throughout the show, the sensory nature can bother those with sensitive hearing as the audio is loud and the narrative can be discouraging in its threatening grandeur. Everything will work out and end with a sigh of relief, but for a few minutes it may be questionable. It's not enough to make a deal-breaker, but should be considered. For those who enjoy a little thrill, however, it is a great moment that the show builds to and makes you feel the rush of what good puppetry can do.
Even in its brevity, Dinosaur World Live does one thing right above all else. It manages to make dinosaurs exciting. For any struggles to properly convey the education and entertainment with equal value, it manages to inspire some to want to go out and learn more. It’s a great tool and one that’s interactive enough to keep the young minds engaged. It should be noted that at the La Mirada Theater production, there was also a chance for children to walk along the front of the stage afterwards and interact with a t-rex puppet. There was also merchandise available in the lobby. All in all, it’s a creative way to get people invested in archaeology. It may not always be completely successful, but it’s still enough to get the wheels spinning.
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