Dinosaurs are the topic of Simon Mole, Gecko and Peader Kirk’s children’s theatre show ‘The Great Big Dinosaur Show’, which is coming to Hever Castle, Kent during the May half term. Combining poems, raps and songs, National Poetry Day Ambassador and acclaimed children’s poet Simon Mole has teamed up with TikTok sensation singer-storyteller Gecko to create a piece of theatre based on the poet’s fourth book ‘A First Book of Dinosaurs’. Aimed at young dinosaur fans aged 4-11, ahead of the show’s arrival in Kent I had the opportunity to ask the collaborators some questions about the production, which is heading to Anne Boleyn’s childhood home.
How did you get into poetry and theatre making?
Simon: I’ve always had a love for playing with words, and I was lucky enough to be part of Brighton Youth Theatre when I was growing up. It was an affordable, weekly opportunity that gave me and my friends the chance to build skills, create shows together, and even travel to youth arts festivals in other parts of the country. Being in those kinds of environments really opened my eyes to the idea that writing and performing could actually become a career.”
‘The Great Big Dinosaur Show’ is based on your children’s book ‘A First Book of Dinosaurs’. What is it about dinosaurs that inspired you to write both a book and children’s theatre show?
Simon: Dinosaurs are just amazing, right? From the giant, long-necked leaf-munchers as big as buses, to the little, feathery fighters with beaks – and all of the rest in between! Honestly, if you tried to imagine the most out-there, outrageous monster that you could conjure up, it still wouldn’t compare to some of the dinosaurs. For example, Therizinosaurus had peacock-like feathers AND claws as long as swords! What a combo!
What can you tell me about your collaborative process with singer-storyteller Gecko? How have you worked together on this piece?
Simon: We start by just messing around and having fun – for this show, I already had the poems, so it was all about figuring out which ones would work best with music, or could be turned into full songs.
Early on, we always share our ideas with kids and families. Kids are such honest critics and they’ll let you know right away if something’s not quite right, which saves us a lot of time. It’s always so exciting to perform the final show knowing there are kids in the audience who helped shape the piece along the way. I love the idea that they’re sitting there thinking, ‘That bit’s like that because of me.’
How are you bringing Simon’s book to life on the stage?
Gecko: The show incorporates poems from the book, turns some poems into catchy songs and encourages our audiences to be a part of it along the way. There might even be some time travel involved!
You are bringing the show to Kent in May half term. What are you most looking forward to, performing at Hever Castle?
Gecko: One of my favourite things about this show is the range of places we’ve managed to take it, from libraries to big theatres, schools to literary festivals but it’s not often you get to perform at an actual castle! The space looks incredible and we hope to bring a proper festival atmosphere to the grounds. Hever Castle also gave us another first, a promotional request for a poster for the ‘deer banner’. I don’t totally know what that is but I’ve been imagining four deer parading around a massive poster of our faces.
The show “gives young dino fans a joyful blast of interactive live entertainment with poems, raps and songs all about your favourite prehistoric protagonists”. What do you hope young people take away from the performance?
Gecko: I hope they feel inspired to learn more about dinosaurs and feel encouraged that their ideas are important and that poetry is for everyone. I also hope they leave humming our big dino disco finale song ‘Last chance to dance’.
Dinosaurs at Hever Castle
This certainly sounds like a fun show for young people who are interested in dinosaurs and with the Hever Castle performance being in the school holidays, families could combine the show with a day out to the historic location. You can catch ‘The Great Big Dinosaur Show’ at the Festival Theatre at Hever Castle, Kent on Tuesday 27th May. The performance starts at 2pm and tickets can be purchased via the venue’s website. A big thank you to Simon and Gecko for taking the time to share some insight into their prehistoric-themed collaboration.
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Love Kat xxxx
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