ZOG will roar onto the Southampton stage for the first time in 2020.

The smash hit stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved book will be next year's Christmas production at NST City.

The dragon school tale is brought to the stage by Freckle Productions, the team behind Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Tabby McTat and promises to be bigger, brighter and more roar-some than ever before.

With brand new songs from Joe Stilgoe (The Jungle Book, The Midnight Gang) and directed by Emma Kilbey, much-loved Zog is a magical production for all ages.

Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great!

Zog was first published in 2010 and won the Galaxy National Children’s Book of the Year Award. It has gone on to become a perennial bestseller. Magic Light Pictures’ animated film of Zog was shown on BBC One on Christmas Day featuring an all-star cast.

Sam Hodges, artistic director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres said today: “We’re really pleased to be welcoming Zog, one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s most-loved titles, as one of our Christmas offerings next year. She has always proven really popular with our audiences, both young and old.”

Jen Sutherland, Founder of Freckle Productions added: “We’re hugely excited to be bringing one of our productions to Nuffield Southampton Theatres for the first time. Zog is perhaps one of Julia’s most loved characters, and it’s an honour to bring him flying from page to stage."

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the UK’s number one picture book pair and are creators of many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which is in 75 languages.

The cast of actor-puppeteers bring the world of Zog to life with handcrafted puppets designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.

The show, suitable for all ages, will run from Friday November 27 to Thursday December 24.

Tickets: 023 8067 1771 or nstheatres.co.uk