The 6 weeks of desperately trying to keep your little angels amused has begun. However, this year The Atkinson is on hand to help with lots of family friendly activities and events and many of them are free to get stuck into!
Parents, let’s start with something for you! The Atkinson’s Summer Holiday club two hour sessions for budding artists to explore and create in our exciting workshops run by our artist in residence, Sarah Jane Richards.
Children aged 7-12 yrs can take part in fun and friendly workshops and take inspiration from The Atkinson’s wonderful collections. Parents and guardians can relax knowing that their child will be developing new skills alongside a professional artist.
Even better – parents/carers do not need to stay so you can enjoy a couple of hours to yourself! All sessions are from 1pm to 3pm and are £7.50 per session. For friends or siblings it is £6.50, please ask our Box Office team for more information. Sessions run on the 5, 12, 19 & 29 August.
The Children’s Library is a hive of activity this summer but it also has a great selection of books and DVD’s to take away or read while you are here, for the rainy days . On Friday 14 & 21 August it also has a mobile zoo! Come and get up close and personal with some weird and wonderful creatures 10.30am. Tickets for Zooman are just £2.50.
The ever-popular Rhyme Time and Storytime sessions continue in the Children’s Library on Tuesdays 2pm – 3pm , Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.30am – 11.30am.
Its not too late to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. Just come into the library and sign up to read six books over the summer break and each time you finish one, you get a book of stickers. Plus there is a certificate and medal for everyone that finishes the challenge.
Ancient Egypt is still here waiting to be discovered . What was life really like for children and their parents, what toys did they play with when computers just weren’t an option! Come and get dressed up like an Egyptian and match the hieroglyphic shapes to the interactive wall.
From 11am -12.30pm on Tuesdays the team at The Atkinson will be running Touch Ancient Egypt sessions in the Museum. Families can come and explore real Egyptian objects with our curators.
Our Museum is waiting to tell you all about the treacherous coast with hands on activities including the chance to send an electronic postcard or see if your feet match up to the prehistoric footprints. Family trails are available too!
The Art Box is a free creative space for families to enjoy together, with a play area for babies all ages can spend quality time together. So while you are checking out our beautiful exhibitions and gallery spaces – why not drop in and create your very own masterpiece with our themed arts and crafts activities from 11am-3pm every Monday and Saturday.
We also have artist-led children’s workshops in The Art Box including designing your own crazy crusty coastal creature on Monday 10 August, designing pebble beach bugs on Monday 24 August and a design your own kite class on Saturday 29 August all take place from 1pm -3.30pm. These are all free and great for all ages.
We work hard to bring the very best children’s theatre to the North West and this summer we have three imaginative but very different productions for families. We start with a Chicken who thinks the world is falling down, Chicken Licken on Saturday 8 August at 2.30pm from DNA Puppetry and Visual Theatre.
Chicken Licken is a baby chick, who on the way to tell the King that the sky is falling down meets Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky & Turkey Lurkey, but there’s a shocking surprise! Chicken Licken grows up to be the Little Red Hen and asks her friends to help her make bread, but no one wants to play! Mixed into this recipe of food, puppets and music is the story of Little Red Hen and the sly Foxy Loxy. Will she outwit him and save her stuffing?
‘Chicken Licken’ begins with baking bread. Events soon get out of hand as the chick is born from the egg and her adventures carry the amused interest of children and adults alike as she is nearly eaten by the hungry Foxy-Loxy. She then grows up to eventually outwit the hunter, her courage and wisdom triumphing over adversity. Perfect for 3-8 years.
After their sell out show Marty MacDonald’s Farm last summer Honalee Media are back on Thursday 27 August with Pongo’s Party.
It’s the day that Pongo the Pig has been waiting for – that’s right, it’s his birthday! He’s been dropping hints to his friends all year, so is looking forward to a fantastic party… but the trouble is, nobody seems to remember! Molly-Moo the Cow is making a mess baking, Sheena the Sheep is rehearsing with her band, Sally the Scarecrow is in the middle of decorating and even Marty MacDonald is tied up with his parcels – whatever can they be up to?
Come and help make Pongo’s Party a day to remember, by joining in a show full of fun, songs and laughter – take part in the town’s biggest ever game of pass the parcel and join the largest children’s band!”
With CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as the voices of Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow, this is a show no CBeebie’s fan should miss. For ages 3 – 7 years.Please note that Justin and Nicole do not appear in person.
We go on a adventure with Lolly on Wednesday 12 August when she runs away from the circus to see the world. On her journey she encounters a few unexpected obstacles along the way and soon realises that the circus isn’t so bad after all and wishes she was back home with Pops. But how will she get back? Maybe her circus skills and props will come in handy after all…!
Lolly Pops and Circus Props is from Artful Playground, whose interactive musical stories are aimed at children aged 3-7 and for children with special educational needs.
Their stories are brought to life as the children are invited in to take part and become the characters, sing songs and play games with the story leader. Musicians represent the characters on different instruments and the story is accompanied by a live musical soundtrack. The outcome is a wonderful mix of fun and learning, as Artful Playground and the children join forces and go on an imaginative journey together!
For more information about the summer programme of events call our Box Office on 01704 533333. With so much to do this summer, not even the weather can stop you here at The Atkinson!
Tickets for all children’s theatre are £8 (£6 children / £24 family) and they are available online at theatkinson.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01704 533333. They are also available over the counter during The Atkinson opening hours.
Take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer for our children’s theatre – book for three shows and get the third ticket free! For more information please visit theatkinson.co.uk/special-offer/3-for-2-on-childrens-theatre-tickets/
Please be advised that there is a £2.50 booking fee for telephone and online sales and from 1 September the fee will change to £1 per ticket across all sales.
-ENDS-
______________________________________________________________________
*Please be advised that there is a £2.50 booking fee for telephone and online sales and from 1 September the fee will change to £1 per ticket across all sales.
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit The Atkinson box office on Lord Street
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333
Posted on 30 July 2015 under General news
