COMING out of the zoo and going wild on stage in York next year is Madagascar - The Musical.

Join 2016 X-Factor winner Matt Terry as Alex the Lion, along with Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage at York Theatre Royal from February 26 to March 2.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – The Musical follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo.

He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them.

Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.

This adventure for the whole family is brought to life by Selladoor Family, the producers behind James and the Giant Peach, Seussical: The Musical and The Owl And The Pussycat and Hartshorn – Hook, producers of the Olivier Award winning Rotterdam.

Madagascar – The Musical is directed by the award-winning Kirk Jameson, who previously directed Selladoor’s 2013 revival of Seussical: The Musical.

David Hutchinson, executive Creative Producer of Selladoor said:“One of our key principals is to aim to engage young people to come to the theatre and to help to encourage a whole new generation of theatregoers, and Madagascar – The Musical promises to do just that.

“We are delighted to be bringing these much-loved crazy characters to life on stage in an exciting caper for all of the family. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar – The Musical will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It.”

Tickets are available from the York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk