Beano Studios and Rocket Licensing celebrate 70 years of Dennis with major gardens partnership.
To celebrate 70 years of Dennis, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has partnered with Beano Studios in a deal brokered by UK licensing agent Rocket Licensing, for a ‘Big Bonanza’ full of jokes, mischief and pranks this Easter.
Taking place between Wednesday 31 March and Sunday 18 April 2021 at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, visitors can join in the fun with a new, giant, 3D comic strip created especially for the milestone occasion.
On a trip to Kew, Dennis and Minnie the Minx discover that a treacherous crime has been committed by Dr Gloom, threatening the future of one of their best-loved foods (and slippery tricks), the banana. Visitors will earn their stripes by joining Dennis and his Beanotown friends on their mission to protect the banana from Dr Gloom and the risk of extinction, and rescue their favourite fruit-powered superhero, Bananaman, who has been shrunk by the evil villain.
Visitors will follow the story on an interactive trail, with stops along the way to discover the slimy, sticky, smelly and deceptive powers of plants that will help them save the day.
With help from new characters based on members of RBG Kew staff – Lee (The Fun Guy who loves Fungi) and Katie (the tree-swinging Horti-hero) – visitors will join Dennis and friends in learning about some of nature’s cleverest tricks in the plant kingdom including the huge and stinky titan arum, the flame-repelling Giant Redwood and an orchid that looks like a bee.
In true Beano style, visitors can get up to mischief with interactive activities along the trail. Noise-making whoopie cushion stepping stones, bendy mirrors transforming onlookers into villain-catching superheroes and foot-pump water pistols (at Kew Gardens only), are sure to entertain pranksters of all ages. Visitors can also take a quiz to discover which Beano character matches their own personality.
Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, will also be hosting Dennis, Gnasher and friends this Easter, with young visitors being invited to take on the Beano Banana Mission. This involves tracking down hidden bananas buried among Wakehurst’s wild habitats, to discover the letters that accompany each piece of fruit. A top-secret prize, provided in collaboration with Beano licensees, awaits those who can solve the anagram to crack the password.
“We are delighted to celebrate 70 years of Dennis with Beano at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst this Easter,” commented Sandra Botterell, director of marketing and commercial enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Telling critical science stories through such iconic characters is a super way to engage young visitors with RBG Kew’s vital work, while copious tricks and pranks will ensure everybody is kept entertained on what promises to be a brilliant day out over the holidays.”
Rob Wijeratna, joint md at Rocket Licensing, added: “We are excited to be celebrating this milestone birthday with a playful and educational partnership that will, like Dennis himself, appeal across the generations. With appearances from so many of Beanotown’s favourite characters, this hugely creative and humorous campaign creates the perfect occasion to get outside and join the Beano adventure this Easter.”
Vanessa Andreis, franchise planning and partnerships director at Beano Studios, continued: “2021 marks Dennis’s 70th anniversary, and what better way to start the celebrations than a Beano extravaganza for the whole family at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst. Beano has a unique, cross-generational family appeal and we can’t wait for everyone who has loved us throughout the years to come and join the fun.”
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