ZOG RETURNS FOR 2026 UK TOUR AND SUMMER SEASON AT CADOGAN HALL CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE DRAGON
- ely01123
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story Zog will fly back onto the stage in 2026 for a major UK tour, followed by a special summer season at London’s Cadogan Hall from 2 – 23 August 2026.
The announcement comes on the very day that Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Stick Man kicks off its 2025 UK tour in Brighton – marking an exciting double milestone as two of Donaldson and Scheffler’s best-loved stories take flight together.
First published in 2010, the book celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, making this the perfect way for families to celebrate with the keenest – and most accident-prone – dragon of them all.
First staged in 2019, Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Zog has become a family favourite, delighting young audiences with its mix of live music, puppetry, and laugh-out-loud storytelling. With joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe, puppets designed by Little Angel Theatre, and direction that brings Donaldson and Scheffler’s world vividly to life, Zog is a theatrical treat for all ages.
‘I’m not braggin’ but I’m a dragon’
Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He's also the most accident-prone, flying into trees, and even setting his own wing alight. Thankfully, a kind girl comes along to patch up his scratches and scrapes – but can she help him with his biggest challenge yet, so that he can finally win a golden star?
Jennifer Sutherland, Executive Producer at Freckle Productions, said, “At Freckle we love bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s stories to life on stage, and Zog has been a joy to share with families over the years. With the book marking its 15th anniversary in 2025, we’re delighted to continue the celebrations with a UK tour in 2026 and a summer season at Cadogan Hall. And without giving too much away, fans can also look forward to more adventures ahead when Zog and the Flying Doctors takes off on tour in 2027.”
The 2026 tour will see Zog spread his wings wider than ever before, with performances at venues Freckle Productions has never visited before including The Everyman, Cork; Hull Truck; Harlow Playhouse; and Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow.
It will also mark Zog’s first time on stage at a number of major theatres across the UK and Ireland, including Northern Stage, Newcastle; The Victoria, Halifax; The Everyman, Cork; Watford Palace, Watford; Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch; Lancaster Grand; Hull Truck; Harlow Playhouse; Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford; Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow; Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh; and The Grand Opera House, York.
2026 tour dates for Zog include Northern Stage, Newcastle (19–22 February), Gala Theatre, Durham (24–26 February), The Victoria, Halifax (6–8 March), The Everyman, Cork (11–14 March), The Carriageworks, Leeds (16–21 March), Watford Palace (27–28 March), Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch (31 March–2 April on sale soon), Pavilion Theatre, Worthing (3–5 April on sale soon), Liverpool Playhouse (7–11 April), The Lowry, Salford (14–19 April), Lancaster Grand Theatre (28–29 April), The Atkinson, Southport (1–2 May), Royal & Derngate, Northampton (7–10 May), Mayflower Studios, Southampton (14–17 May), Rose Theatre, Kingston (26–31 May), Hull Truck Theatre (4–7 June – on sale 4 November), New Theatre Royal, Lincoln (13–14 June – on sale soon), Harlow Playhouse (16–17 June), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (19–21 June), Swan Theatre, Worcester (22–24 June), Lyceum Theatre, Crewe (26–28 June), Sands Centre, Carlisle (30 June–2 July), Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow (3–5 July), Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh (7–12 July), Grand Opera House, York (14–15 July), Wyvern Theatre, Swindon (18–19 July), Oxford Playhouse (21–25 July – on sale 31 October) and Mercury Theatre, Colchester (28–29 July), before the production lands at Cadogan Hall, London for a special summer season from 2–23 August 2026.
Zog is adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson, the multi award-winning author of some of the world’s best-loved children’s stories including The Gruffalo and Stick Man. Julia is best known for her popular rhyming tales, especially those illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which together have sold over 75 million copies and been published in more than 100 languages.
First published in 2010, Zog quickly became a family favourite, winning the Galaxy National Book Award that year and going on to sell over 4.8 million copies worldwide. In 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered the animated film version of Zog on BBC One, broadcast at primetime on Christmas Day, with an all-star cast including Sir Lenny Henry, Tracey Ullman, Rob Brydon and Kit Harington. The half-hour special delighted millions of viewers and cemented Zog’s place as a modern classic.
The book celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, making the 2026 tour a roaring, soaring milestone year for everyone’s favourite dragon.
