Three years ago, like many, I was completely captivated by the animated world of “How to Train Your Dragon.” As a fan of both the movie and the “Live Spectacular” show, which I previously recommended as a holiday gift, I was thrilled to witness its opening in Sacramento at the Sleep Train Arena from January 3rd to 6th, before it journeyed to Anaheim. The enduring appeal of “How to Train Your Dragon” lies in its heartwarming narrative. It tells the story of Hiccup, a young Viking striving to prove himself as a dragon slayer, who instead discovers a profound connection with a Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This revelation challenges generations of Viking prejudice against dragons, forging an unlikely friendship.
The scale of the production is immediately evident, particularly in the magnificent dragons themselves. With collaboration from Dreamworks and the creators of “Walking with Dinosaurs,” the animatronic dragons are more than just impressive; they possess a remarkable life-like quality and personality that is truly captivating. Trying to describe the sheer presence of these creatures from photographs alone is a challenge. However, the true surprise of the show was its comprehensive depth, extending far beyond just a dragon-centric spectacle.
While the dragons are undeniably the stars, “How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular” is a true multimedia experience. Projected images and light effects are seamlessly integrated into the performance, moving beyond mere theatrical enhancements to become integral to the storytelling. What initially appear to be simple backdrops quickly transform into interactive environments. For instance, during a scene of Hiccup traversing the countryside, he is suspended against a dynamic, vertically scrolling image of his village’s surroundings, creating an immersive sense of movement.
The multimedia elements reach another level of sophistication when Hiccup’s sketches and blueprints for Toothless’s tail fin come to life, swirling across the arena floor and even onto the backdrop, surrounding Hiccup in a visual representation of his inventive mind. Similarly, a Viking fleet appears to sail across a breathtaking ocean crafted from light projections, adding immense scale and drama to the narrative. Anyone involved in theater or set design would undoubtedly find inspiration in the innovative use of technology within this production. For the general audience, the result is pure enjoyment. Among the crowd I was with, there was not a single negative comment, only expressions of delight and wonder.
I’ve included further photographs to illustrate these stunning visual effects, alongside more images focused on the dragons, building on the dragon photos shared previously. It’s difficult to truly capture the dynamic nature of the show within static images, especially when the live experience is so absorbing. While the adult in me wanted to meticulously capture the best “How To Train Your Dragon Photos,” the inner child simply wanted to be swept away by the magic of the performance.
These photographs were taken at the show in Fresno. For more information and tickets, please visit www.dreamworksdragonslive.com.
