Noddy Arena Tour

RNS Number:2786S
Chorion PLC
20 November 2003



                    Noddy arena spectacular to debut in 2004

 Noddy merchandise on track for minimum #20 million of sales at retail in 2003



Thursday, 20th November 2003  --  Chorion PLC (LSE: COR), owners and developers
of intellectual property, today announced a new partnership with DC
Entertainment Ltd to create a spectacular family entertainment event for the
United Kingdom's biggest arenas starring the children's character, Noddy.



The arena spectacular is expected to debut in Q4 2004 and will mark the 50th
anniversary of Noddy's theatrical debut.



DC Entertainment is the major events producer that has taken "Tweenies" and "
Thomas the Tank Engine" shows to UK arenas with great success. More than 1.2
million tickets were sold to the two shows, which generated gross turnover in
excess of #17 million excluding merchandise.



In 2002, pre-school and family entertainment took 23% of the UK arena business.



The new live event fulfils Chorion's key target of increasing the penetration of
the Noddy brand in the UK. In addition to the obvious revenue benefits, the live
event will heighten public awareness and develop consumer loyalty to the
character.



The event will use stage actors, specially-constructed vehicles - including
Noddy's famous red and yellow taxi - and special effects to recreate the magic
of Toyland for family audiences.



Commenting on the new Noddy arena spectacular, Chorion's Director of Children's
Brands, Stephen Green, said:



"Noddy has been delighting theatre audiences for 50 years, but the character is
more popular now than ever before. That demands a bigger and grander Toyland
experience and we are delighted to bring this to family audiences in 2004. I am
pleased to confirm that Noddy merchandise is on track to generate at least #20
million worth of sales at retail in calendar 2003, compared to an estimated #5
million sales in 2002.  The arena show, plus all of the other activities we have
lined up for 2004, means that we will be aiming to increase significantly this
figure in 2004."



Dan Colman, Managing Director of DC Entertainment Ltd, said:



"We are delighted to be working with one of the most successful children's
brands in history. We focus on brands with proven popularity and great
characters with long-term potential. The new Noddy arena spectacular will be a
guaranteed hit with fans of all ages."



                                    - ends -


For further information please call:

Tim Allan or Andrew Sholl
Portland, for Chorion
020 7404 5344


Notes to Editors



 1. Chorion PLC is an owner and developer of intellectual property, with the
    rights to key properties such as Noddy, The Famous Five, Miss Marple, Poirot
    and Maigret.



 2. Noddy made his stage debut in a production for the 1954-55 pantomime season
    called "Noddy in Toyland", written by Enid Blyton herself. Every performance
    at London's Stoll Theatre was a sell-out. Since that time Noddy and his
    Toyland friends have become a staple of live family entertainment.



 3. The current stage production, Noddy and the Magical Day, which will be
    retired at the end of 2003. In just 10 months in 2002-03 it is estimated
    that a quarter of a million individuals have attended the show.



 4. Noddy's arena tour follows in the wake of the international success of the
    hit animated series, Make Way for Noddy, which has been sold into 20
    international markets. The programme currently ranks among the top five most
    popular programmes for kids aged 3-5 in the UK.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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