Opening June 2013, the World Premiere of King Kong will be a landmark theatrical event.
This iconic love story of an enormous creature and his battle for survival in New York City is being produced by Global Creatures, the creators of spectaculars Walking With Dinosaurs and How To Train Your Dragon, and directed by American theatre and opera director Daniel Kramer, with a book by Craig Lucas.
The production, which will be staged at Melbourne's Regent Theatre (its only season in Australia before embarking on an international tour), will feature a cast of 40 actors, singers, dancers and puppeteers who will bring to life the two opposing worlds of the story - 1930s New York City and Skull Island, the home of Kong.
Featuring revamped 1930s Broadway classics and dazzling new songs from the world's best contemporary artists, as well as opulent costumes, awe-inspiring sets and a creature who will fill the stage, KING KONG will be an unforgettable experience.
The award-winning creative team, drawn from around the world, includes Marius de Vries (Original Music Compositions and Arrangements), Michael Mitnick (Original and Adapted Lyrics), Peter England (Production Design), John O'Connell, (Choreography), Roger Kirk (Costume Design), Peter Mumford (Lighting Design), Gavin Robins (Aerial/Circus Direction), Frieder Weiss (Projection Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design) and Peter Wilson (Puppetry Director).
Kong, the towering ape, is being designed by Sonny Tilders and created by Melbourne-based The Creature Technology Company, whose animatronics skill brought to life the groundbreaking dinosaurs and dragons in Global Creatures' two previous productions.
King Kong is authorised by the Merian C. Cooper estate.