Adelaide Zoo and Illuminate Adelaide present ‘Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights’

Adelaide Zoo and Illuminate Adelaide, with presenting partner SA Power Networks, are delivering ‘Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights’ - an event showcasing “the evolution of the first creatures to crawl and roam the planet” via dinosaur installations, puppets and lights.

Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights is a brand-new experience and never been seen before at Adelaide Zoo.

Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of Zoos SA enthused “we are so excited to present Prehistoric Nights at Adelaide Zoo. We know from our animal-loving members and visitors that they love dinosaurs, so to bring the prehistoric age roaring into life and into a night out is going to be incredible.

“A Blanck Canvas, who we worked with for the sell-out Light Creatures, is back again, this time creating show stopping installations including an animated Plesiosaur Seascape, a Mosasaur and a Dinosaur Graveyard.

“Puppeteers from Erth will roam the grounds with Exoskeletons, Laellynasaura and biolumes. Erth’s performers will also work their way through the audience and involve them in the extravaganza. It’s going to be an interactive and illuminating night like no other.

“Lights, LEDs and lanterns will add glow and atmosphere to buildings and the zoo grounds, creating a magical setting for a night the entire family will love.”

Illuminate Adelaide’s co-founders and creative directors, Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge added “like Light Creatures before it, Universal Kingdom will be a wonderful experience for parents and grandparents to share with children. At some stage, we’ve all conjured visions of dinosaurs and this is a chance to see these mythical creatures of the past come to life in front of your very eyes.”

Joe Blanck from A Blanck Canvas added “A Blanck Canvas is thrilled to be taking a stomp back in time by creating installations for Prehistoric Nights for Adelaide Zoo and Illuminate Adelaide. We’re talking big scale, mighty old Mesozoic creatures that have risen out of the depths to put the wow in your winter! Don’t miss them.”

As well as large-scale installations, visitors will wander in a sea of floating Biolumes, see playful Plesiosaurs frolic with their hatchlings, and even come eye-to-eye with Australia’s own sharp-toothed Megaraptor.

The zoo grounds will be a-glow with magical lighting and LEDs from After Dark Theatre.

“After Dark Theatre is thrilled to play a part in Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights,” said Harrison Cope, After Dark Theatre.

Highlighting the planet’s first extinction events and the efforts of Zoos SA to prevent the next, Illuminate Adelaide and Adelaide Zoo will put the wow into South Australia’s winter.

Visitors will be delighted with a range of tasty food and the opportunity to enjoy warming drinks and treats. Whether you’re after a light bite or a belly warmer, indulge from a range of food stations and bars around the site.

Prehistoric Nights will take place over three winter weekends, starting Thursday 4th July – Sunday 21st July (Prehistoric Nights runs Thursday – Sunday, 6.30pm – 9.30pm with two sessions).

To buy tickets, including Relaxed Session and early bird tickets discounted until 5th May, click here or visit: adelaidezoo.com.au/universalkingdom

https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/event/universalkingdom/

Location: Adelaide Zoo
Dates: Thu 04 – Sun 21 July 2024
Times: Nightly 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Tickets: Early Bird - General Admission - $28
General Admission - $35
Early Bird - Zoos SA Members - $28
Zoos SA Members - $30
Groups of 4+ - $125
Zoos SA Members Group of 4+ - $108

Images centre and below: Credit: Erth