Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children.
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?
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| Photo by Jess Shurte |
From the producers of Stick Man and Zog and the Flying Doctors, this charming smash-hit show features joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe with beautiful puppets by Little Angel, and is a treat for children and adults alike.
We caught up with Lotti Brogan who plays Madam Dragon and the Governess in the touring production.
What can you tell me about Zog and the roles you play within the show?
Zog is about a young and keen dragon who goes to dragon school to learn skills like flying, roaring, breathing fire, capturing princesses and fighting knights. He tries very hard but is often clumsy and gets hurt. A kind girl, Princess Pearl, secretly helps him each time. In the end, they decide to become doctors to help people instead of following normal fairy-tale roles. My character, Madam Dragon is the teacher at dragon school - she is firm but fair and encouraging, teaching the dragons their lessons each year and rewarding them golden stars when they do well. I also play the role of Pearl’s Governess. She is spikey, strict and protective of Pearl. She wants her to be a traditional Princess, wearing a dress and not going on adventures or learning about the outside world.
Zog is about a young and keen dragon who goes to dragon school to learn skills like flying, roaring, breathing fire, capturing princesses and fighting knights. He tries very hard but is often clumsy and gets hurt. A kind girl, Princess Pearl, secretly helps him each time. In the end, they decide to become doctors to help people instead of following normal fairy-tale roles. My character, Madam Dragon is the teacher at dragon school - she is firm but fair and encouraging, teaching the dragons their lessons each year and rewarding them golden stars when they do well. I also play the role of Pearl’s Governess. She is spikey, strict and protective of Pearl. She wants her to be a traditional Princess, wearing a dress and not going on adventures or learning about the outside world.
You play two very different authority figures—the encouraging Madam Dragon and the more rigid Governess. How do you physically and vocally switch between them to make sure the kids know exactly who is who?
It’s really fun to play two different characters who are so contrasting. When we were in rehearsals, the director and musical director asked me to play around with a couple of different voice and accents to make the change clear to the audience. For Madam Dragon I have a strong, grounded posture with my shoulders down and back straight, chest open and head held high. She’s deliberate in her movements and doesn’t rush when she gestures or talks. I use a lower, well-spoken, steadier voice and take time/pauses before key words when teaching the dragons their lessons. When a dragon does well or when Zog needs reassuring, she nod, smiles and uses a softer and warmer tone.
For the Governess, I use a posh Scottish accent and more high-pitched voice. She speaks much more quickly than Madam Dragon as she’s nervous and anxious, trying to find Pearl and keep her safe. Her movements are more frantic and panicked and I try and portray a more frazzled energy to bring some comedy to the character for the audience whilst also maintaining her sharp, authoritative nature. Everything is over-dramatic with the Governess, she is easily alarmed and gasps at thought of mud, puddles and the woods that Pearl enjoys going to. To show her exhaustion, I use more of a hunched over physicality in contrast to Madam Dragon’s stoic body language.
Madam Dragon has to manage a class of clumsy, fire-breathing students. Do you find yourself tapping into your own inner teacher or perhaps a teacher you had as a child to bring her to life?
A helpful reference for me when creating my Madam Dragon was the wonderful Julie Andrews’ Mary Poppins…I even stand in first position with an umbrella at one point in the show! She is the perfect balance between firm but fair, no-nonsense and dignified but supportive and smiley.
A helpful reference for me when creating my Madam Dragon was the wonderful Julie Andrews’ Mary Poppins…I even stand in first position with an umbrella at one point in the show! She is the perfect balance between firm but fair, no-nonsense and dignified but supportive and smiley.
In the show, Zog is desperate for a golden star. Is there a specific moment in the performance where you feel the audience’s collective excitement when Madam Dragon finally hands one out?
It’s so rewarding seeing and hearing the audience’s reaction when Zog finally wins a golden star. When Madam Dragon gives him it, there are cheers, claps, hands in the air, excited smiley faces and lots of Zog toys held up in the crowd. It’s such a sweet moment in the show.
It’s so rewarding seeing and hearing the audience’s reaction when Zog finally wins a golden star. When Madam Dragon gives him it, there are cheers, claps, hands in the air, excited smiley faces and lots of Zog toys held up in the crowd. It’s such a sweet moment in the show.
Julia Donaldson’s stories are legendary. What do you think the live stage version adds to the story of Zog that readers might not get from just the book?
Seeing real actors bring the characters to life in person makes the story feel immediate and exciting, children aren’t just imagining it from illustrations, they’re immersed into the world for an hour, experiencing it live, in real time. There are also several moments of audience interaction, and the music and dancing helps the audience feel more emotionally connected than they would just reading the book. You get more visual storytelling - costumes, props, lighting and sound make things more dynamic, meaningful and memorable and experiencing it with other people in one space makes it feel bigger and more impactful.
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| Photo by Jess Shurte |
The show features incredible puppets from Little Angel Theatre. What is it like interacting with puppets on stage versus human actors? Does it change your performance style?
Yes it does. With puppets, your focus shifts to bringing something inanimate to life so your movements have to be clear and intentional so the audience can read the puppet’s emotions. During the rehearsal process we worked with a puppeteer on giving our focus as human actors to the puppet so that it becomes the character the audience connects with, so we’re hiding behind them in a way. Even small details such as a head tilt, a pause, a bounce or a breath matter a lot more. You have to be more physical and technical, thinking about timing of reactions and coordination in a different way.
Yes it does. With puppets, your focus shifts to bringing something inanimate to life so your movements have to be clear and intentional so the audience can read the puppet’s emotions. During the rehearsal process we worked with a puppeteer on giving our focus as human actors to the puppet so that it becomes the character the audience connects with, so we’re hiding behind them in a way. Even small details such as a head tilt, a pause, a bounce or a breath matter a lot more. You have to be more physical and technical, thinking about timing of reactions and coordination in a different way.
For many children in the audience, this might be their first-ever trip to a theatre. Have there been any particularly funny or heartwarming 'heckles' or reactions from the kids during the tour so far?
There’s a really lovely moment at the beginning of the show where the dragon puppets are revealed and Madam Dragon watches them do their flying routine - I get a perfect view of the audience’s reaction and the children’s faces literally light up with wonder and excitement. It’s really heartwarming seeing them hold up their own dragon toys too. There was also a little girl sitting in the front row of one show recently who was dressed as Princess Pearl as a doctor with her own doll dressed to look the same and she held it up to show us all in the finale when we waved goodbye which was very sweet. I always look forward to listening out for the little giggles and shout outs when Zog meets Pearl for the first time.
There’s a really lovely moment at the beginning of the show where the dragon puppets are revealed and Madam Dragon watches them do their flying routine - I get a perfect view of the audience’s reaction and the children’s faces literally light up with wonder and excitement. It’s really heartwarming seeing them hold up their own dragon toys too. There was also a little girl sitting in the front row of one show recently who was dressed as Princess Pearl as a doctor with her own doll dressed to look the same and she held it up to show us all in the finale when we waved goodbye which was very sweet. I always look forward to listening out for the little giggles and shout outs when Zog meets Pearl for the first time.
You recently won a UK Pantomime Award for Best Secondary Lead. How does your background in Panto with all its high energy and audience interaction help you in a touring production like Zog?
Doing a panto teaches you how to sustain a big, clear energy across demanding performing schedule, with sometimes three shows a day. Being in a touring production like Zog requires consistent high energy, physical and vocal stamina and clarity for younger audiences which I feel my experience doing pantos has helped me with. I quickly realised I had to know how to project without burning myself out, learnt how to take care of myself to stay fit and heathy as much as I could, and how to reset my energy show after show to do the job. Panto also demands constant awareness of the audience, timing reactions and handling interactions. One bit of the show is just me going into the audience and involving them, which I know panto has definitely helped with. The performance style in panto is also big, expressive and readable from the back of the auditorium which is the same for children’s theatre, with the storytelling relying on physical and vocal variation to differentiate the characters. With both, you have to be confident in heightened styles and bold choices.
Doing a panto teaches you how to sustain a big, clear energy across demanding performing schedule, with sometimes three shows a day. Being in a touring production like Zog requires consistent high energy, physical and vocal stamina and clarity for younger audiences which I feel my experience doing pantos has helped me with. I quickly realised I had to know how to project without burning myself out, learnt how to take care of myself to stay fit and heathy as much as I could, and how to reset my energy show after show to do the job. Panto also demands constant awareness of the audience, timing reactions and handling interactions. One bit of the show is just me going into the audience and involving them, which I know panto has definitely helped with. The performance style in panto is also big, expressive and readable from the back of the auditorium which is the same for children’s theatre, with the storytelling relying on physical and vocal variation to differentiate the characters. With both, you have to be confident in heightened styles and bold choices.
The UK tour covers a lot of ground, from Salford to Southampton. Do you have a favourite part of touring life, or a specific city you’re particularly excited to visit? Beyond the script and your costume, what are three things you absolutely have to have in your dressing room to survive a long UK run?
I am loving being on tour, it’s so cool being able to visit new places in the UK that I might never have otherwise been to. I’m really enjoying having the opportunity to explore each city and tick things off my to-do/to-see lists! I’m also ticking off a couple of career bucket list venues to perform at, like the Lowry, the Rose Theatre Kingston, Oxford Playhouse and Watford Palace which is awesome! It’s also really fun being able to see mates who are in shows on tour at the same time, in either the same venue/city in the evening shows, or a theatre nearby. We had such a brilliant time in Ireland at the Everyman Theatre in Cork - the audiences were fab and it was great being there for St Patrick’s Day weekend! My dad is Irish and I have always wanted to go to Cork. A touring highlight so far was doing a Céili dance class with some of the cast at the Crane Lane Theatre pub, it was such a laugh! I’m really looking forward to going to Edinburgh in the summer - I’ve been once before near Christmas time and fell in love with it so am excited about being there when it’s warmer and sunnier! It’s also going to be really nice to go back to Guildford, where I spent three years at drama school at GSA.
I am loving being on tour, it’s so cool being able to visit new places in the UK that I might never have otherwise been to. I’m really enjoying having the opportunity to explore each city and tick things off my to-do/to-see lists! I’m also ticking off a couple of career bucket list venues to perform at, like the Lowry, the Rose Theatre Kingston, Oxford Playhouse and Watford Palace which is awesome! It’s also really fun being able to see mates who are in shows on tour at the same time, in either the same venue/city in the evening shows, or a theatre nearby. We had such a brilliant time in Ireland at the Everyman Theatre in Cork - the audiences were fab and it was great being there for St Patrick’s Day weekend! My dad is Irish and I have always wanted to go to Cork. A touring highlight so far was doing a Céili dance class with some of the cast at the Crane Lane Theatre pub, it was such a laugh! I’m really looking forward to going to Edinburgh in the summer - I’ve been once before near Christmas time and fell in love with it so am excited about being there when it’s warmer and sunnier! It’s also going to be really nice to go back to Guildford, where I spent three years at drama school at GSA.
Three things I absolutely have to have in my dressing room on tour are: Jakemans throat lozenges, berocca and a massage gun!
The show features joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe. Do you have a favourite musical number to perform, and why does it resonate with you?
I really enjoy ‘Practise’ - it’s a fun number to do with the whole cast together and has a bit of everything in it…funny moments, heartwarming moments, gorgeous harmonies, and lots of clever choreography.
I really enjoy ‘Practise’ - it’s a fun number to do with the whole cast together and has a bit of everything in it…funny moments, heartwarming moments, gorgeous harmonies, and lots of clever choreography.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
I always make sure to do a good physical and vocal warm up before the show and stretch out my muscles to get my body ready for the dancing and climbing up and down the frame set in the show. Doing some tongue twisters beforehand is also super helpful for me as I have quite a fast-paced, word song as the Governess (in a Scottish accent!) At the start of the show, I enter from stage left and everyone else goes on from stage right, so whilst I’m on my own for a couple of minutes, I take some time to centre myself.
I always make sure to do a good physical and vocal warm up before the show and stretch out my muscles to get my body ready for the dancing and climbing up and down the frame set in the show. Doing some tongue twisters beforehand is also super helpful for me as I have quite a fast-paced, word song as the Governess (in a Scottish accent!) At the start of the show, I enter from stage left and everyone else goes on from stage right, so whilst I’m on my own for a couple of minutes, I take some time to centre myself.
How do you unwind after a show?
I usually go for a walk now the weather is getting nicer! I like to hunt down a nice cafe to sit and read my book and we also sometimes go out for dinner together as a cast. To unwind before bed, I’ll watch an episode or two of a series I’m into.
I usually go for a walk now the weather is getting nicer! I like to hunt down a nice cafe to sit and read my book and we also sometimes go out for dinner together as a cast. To unwind before bed, I’ll watch an episode or two of a series I’m into.
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| Photo by Jess Shurte. |
What was the first piece of theatre that you remember having a big impact on you?
One of my earliest memories of theatre was seeing my dad perform in The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas in the West End when I was about four years old. I remember thinking how fun it looked and how amazing it was that this was his job — it didn’t look like work at all. At school, I started doing impressions of my teachers in the talent show, which made me realise how much I loved performing for people and experimenting with different accents and silly voices. Not long after that, I played Dorothy in my first school show, The Wizard of Oz, and I absolutely loved singing on stage. From that point on, I knew I wanted to keep performing.
One of my earliest memories of theatre was seeing my dad perform in The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas in the West End when I was about four years old. I remember thinking how fun it looked and how amazing it was that this was his job — it didn’t look like work at all. At school, I started doing impressions of my teachers in the talent show, which made me realise how much I loved performing for people and experimenting with different accents and silly voices. Not long after that, I played Dorothy in my first school show, The Wizard of Oz, and I absolutely loved singing on stage. From that point on, I knew I wanted to keep performing.
What keeps you inspired?
The children in the audiences we’re performing to around the country are what’s keeping me inspired in this job. I feel it’s particularly special because for many children it’s their first experience of live theatre, which is something about this work that’s really magical - seeing their faces react to what is happening on stage is so rewarding. We might be inspiring them to grow up and work in theatre or write their own stories with equally important messages.
The children in the audiences we’re performing to around the country are what’s keeping me inspired in this job. I feel it’s particularly special because for many children it’s their first experience of live theatre, which is something about this work that’s really magical - seeing their faces react to what is happening on stage is so rewarding. We might be inspiring them to grow up and work in theatre or write their own stories with equally important messages.
Quickfire:
Gold stars or Dragon scales? Gold stars!
Which Zog character are you most like in real life? Probably Pearl
Best dragon name (other than Zog)? Cinder is fun - small but fiery
Hardest "Dragon" word to say with a posh Governess accent? “Princess Pearl” is a bit trickier to say in a Scottish accent!
If Madam Dragon had a favourite snack, what would it be? Oooo, a peppery paté with pickles and padron pepper crisps - she likes the letter ‘P’ and anything fiery!
The most satisfying prop to use in the show? My fire hoops and flame!
If you were a dragon, what colour would your scales be? Green, like Madam Dragon’s!
Can you describe the show in 3 words? Magical, musical, heartwarming
Gold stars or Dragon scales? Gold stars!
Which Zog character are you most like in real life? Probably Pearl
Best dragon name (other than Zog)? Cinder is fun - small but fiery
Hardest "Dragon" word to say with a posh Governess accent? “Princess Pearl” is a bit trickier to say in a Scottish accent!
If Madam Dragon had a favourite snack, what would it be? Oooo, a peppery paté with pickles and padron pepper crisps - she likes the letter ‘P’ and anything fiery!
The most satisfying prop to use in the show? My fire hoops and flame!
If you were a dragon, what colour would your scales be? Green, like Madam Dragon’s!
Can you describe the show in 3 words? Magical, musical, heartwarming
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing Zog?
You can choose your own path, help others along the way and don’t give up.
Zog plays on a UK Tour with dates booking throughout Spring and Summer. The show will play at London's Cadogan Hall from 2nd to 23rd August 2026. For full dates and venues visit https://zogonstage.com/
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