Zog at Gala Durham – review (AD)
We were kindly invited to watch Zog at Gala Durham – and what a lovely, feel-good day it turned out to be.*
This was another special girls’ day out for me and Elsie, and we made a whole adventure of it.
We hopped on the park and ride bus into Durham, which Elsie absolutely loves (any bus journey is a win in her book).
We had a wander around the city, did a little mooch around the shops, and of course stopped for a treat before heading over to the theatre.
There’s something so nice about making theatre trips more than just the show – it turns it into a proper memory-making day.
Of course we brought her Zog plushie with us and he also enjoyed the day out!
Zog – Show Information
Zog Presented by Freckle Productions in association with Rose Theatre
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
‘I’m not braggin’ but I’m a dragon’
Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school – but also the most accident-prone!
Flying into trees, setting his own wing on fire and constantly needing patching up, he’s lucky to meet a kind girl who helps heal his bumps and bruises.
But can she help him with his biggest challenge yet and finally help him win a golden star?
This bright, joyful musical brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story to life with beautiful puppets by Little Angel, songs by Joe Stilgoe, and plenty of humour, heart and magic.
Running time: 60 minutes
Recommended age: 3+
Book your tickets on the Gala Durham website.
What did we think of Zog?
From the very first moment, Zog completely captured Elsie’s attention.
The colourful set, playful puppetry, and lively music instantly created a warm, fun atmosphere that felt perfect for younger audiences.
The dragon puppets were absolutely beautiful – so cleverly designed and full of personality.
Zog himself was adorable, clumsy, and instantly lovable, and the children in the audience were rooting for him from the start.
The songs were catchy without being overwhelming, and the humour worked on two levels – plenty of giggles for the children, with little moments that made the adults smile too.
What I really loved was how gentle and positive the story felt. It’s all about:
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kindness
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perseverance
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friendship
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believing in yourself
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and helping others
which makes it such a lovely message-led show for younger children.
Elsie was completely engaged the whole way through – no fidgeting, no boredom, just full attention and big smiles.
She especially loved the accidents (obviously), the funny moments, and the way the characters interacted with the audience.
For a 60-minute show, it’s the perfect length for little ones – long enough to feel like a proper theatre experience, but not too long for small attention spans.
Zog at Gala Durham is a beautiful, joyful, heartwarming production that’s perfect for younger children and families.
It’s colourful, funny, gentle, and full of warmth – exactly what you want from children’s theatre.
It felt magical without being overwhelming, exciting without being noisy, and meaningful without being heavy.
A really lovely introduction to live theatre for little ones.
Elsie came out smiling, chatting about Zog, and asking when we can go back to the theatre again – which is always the biggest sign of success.
If you’re looking for a wholesome, happy, feel-good family show, Zog is an absolute win.
Zog is a limited run until Thursday 26 February 2026, get your tickets at the box office or on the Gala website.
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*Disclaimer
This review has been written with 100% honesty.
I was not financially compensated for this post. I was invited to this show in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own based on my own experience.
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