Belgrade Theatre's visiting elephant, Oona, takes in the sights of Coventry

[dutchman]

An elephant was spotted running rampage through the streets of Coventry last week.



Not a real elephant, but a three metre-long puppet of an Elephant, called Oona, wandered around the city centre to promote the production of Running Wild coming to the Belgrade Theatre this February half-term.

Operated by four skilled actors, Oona took a look around West Orchards Shopping Centre, the Lower Precinct before returning home to Belgrade Square – attracting the attention of many passing shoppers.

She is visiting the city as the star of Running Wild, a stage adaptation of former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel.

Based on a true story, the play will welcome many other animal puppets to the stage, including orangutans and tigers.

Set in the Indonesian rainforest, the story follows a young girl called Lily, whose family holiday takes a dramatic twist when a tsunami hits whilst she is taking an elephant ride along the beach.

She escapes deep into the jungle riding Oona, far from civilisation the youngster must learn how to survive in the rainforest.

Running Wild plays at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from Wednesday, February 22 to Saturday, February 25.

Tickets are available online at http://www.belgrade.co.uk or by calling the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055.