“The Octonauts,” a British children’s television series that debuted in the United Kingdom Oct. 4, 2010, is set to make a big splash in the United States, with 60 live shows scheduled to take place at venues from coast to coast, beginning Sept. 22 in San Diego and concluding Dec. 4 in Miami.
“The tour currently runs 12 weeks here in the U.S.,” said Jonathan Shank, senior executive producer with Red Light Management. “We have 60-plus shows announced, with more to be announced soon.”
“The Octonauts” show follows the exploits of an underwater crew of stylized anthropomorphic animals. The team of eight adventurers live in an undersea base, the Octopod, from which they venture out on undersea adventures in a fleet of aquatic vehicles.
The plotline is reminiscent of “Star Trek” and “Thunderbirds” blended with Jacques Cousteau. Although the technology and characters borrow from the science fiction genre, the exotic creatures that the crew encounters are real marine animals in their natural habitats.
“The Octonauts” is one of the most popular children’s shows at the moment,” Shank said. “The live show gives each child the chance to enter the Octonauts’ world and get closer to their favorite characters.”
The live show consists of two acts running at approximately 30 minutes each with a brief intermission in between. The high- tech production features costumed characters and animation projected on a massive on-stage screen.
“The Octonauts” live experience takes you into the Octopod and explores many areas of the deep sea,” Shank said. “The eruption of the volcano is a highlight for everyone.”
“The Octonauts” was adapted into a 52 episode CGI animated television series, co-produced by Chorion and Brown Bag Films. It first aired in the United Kingdom on Cbeebies, a BBC television channel for the under 7 demographic. The first series ended in February 2011, but continued to be aired as repeats. A second series of 22 episodes commenced in November 2012. “The Octonauts” had its U.S. premiere on the Disney Channel in January 2012.
As with any franchise, marketing opportunities abound. The tour comes on the heels of new “Octonauts” episodes throughout the year on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
“The main marketing drivers and platforms for a theatre show like Octonauts includes traditional platforms like television, radio and print, but more important, we dive into Facebook, mom blogs, and children’s and community events,” said Shank. “People become aware of the TV show via Disney and we surround all of their platforms with different forms of marketing.”
The Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live is one of the venues that will be hosting the production later this year. Don Graham, vice president of event and production at the venue, is excited about the new inventory in the facility.
“We look forward to expanding our reach to new families who are fans of the show who have not been to Microsoft Theater or L.A. Live before and provide them with an exciting, interactive live experience that both the kids and parents can enjoy inside our newly renovated theater in the heart of downtown Los Angeles,” said Graham.
Graham said that the combination of the success of the television show and the franchise’s first movie coming out later this year help to create advance buzz for the live event.
“With the popularity of the television show on Disney and the first “Octonauts” 4-D movie adventure coming out later this year, fans are going to be excited to see the high-tech, interactive live production here in Los Angeles,” Graham said.
Interviewed for this article: Don Graham, (213) 763-6030; Jonathan Shank, (310) 273-2266