Co-founders of Erth, Scott Wright (Artistic Director) and Steve Howarth (Head of Design), have brought their large scale, animatronic puppet dinosaurs to life in the world premiere of Erth’s Dinosaurs, now playing at the Sydney Opera House. Geared towards kids (5+) and families, Wright and Howarth really show their commitment to teaching young audiences about Australia’s natural history and conservation in this new show.
Audiences will also get an insight into the recent scientific findings that have inspired Erth’s Dinosaurs, including the scientific debate ignited by the discovery of a (possible) tyrannosaurus rex ancestor located in Dinosaur Cove, Victoria. The dinosaurs presented on stage begin from cute little newborns, all the way through to larger-than-life creatures, including this new discovery.
The show, which runs at a tight 55 minutes for the attention spans of its audience, covers an extensive period. Erth’s Dinosaurs displays prehistoric flora and fauna on stage, including the handheld baby dinosaurs and the gigantic Calamite trees that covered Australia millions of years ago. These are displayed on stage alongside a very clever ‘dino-rama’ which is projected on screen on the back curtains of the stage.
The set is stunning, using live camera work, beautiful lighting and sound, and (the main event) incredible puppetry (see About us — Erth Visual & Physical Inc. for more information on the company). Of course, there are no live dinosaurs on stage, but the puppets are so detailed and their puppeteers so talented, that even the grown-ups in the audience suspended their disbelief and gazed in awe at these incredible prehistoric creatures.
Not only do you see the dinosaurs move across the stage (and often into the audience!), but the host of the show will explain the history of the country’s flora and fauna through time and space. There are also opportunities for kids to be selected from the audience and join in on the excitement on stage. The perfect mix on education and entertainment, Erth’s Dinosaurs is truly an unmissable event.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Erth’s Dinosaurs is playing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House until 19 April 2026.
Tickets available here: Erth’s Dinosaurs | Sydney Opera House
Reviewer attended on 10 April 2026.
Photo credit: Sydney Opera House – Daniel Boud
