The Atkinson is set to whisk families into a world of imagination this autumn with a programme full of magical tales of the moon, elves, elephant bridesmaids, pirates, wolves and dragons – not to mention a visit from Santa!
On Sunday 29 September Tell Tale Hearts Theatre Company bring a dance show that celebrates all that is messy at meal times! Crunchy, sweet, tart, gooey, runny, sour, thick, yummy yummy! Yummm! is a celebration of food seen through children’s eyes using dance, live music, quirky design & some amusing eating utensils. A highly imaginative production where tables can dance; plates spin; and the audience have a chance to contribute to the dinner time rituals!
Performances are followed by a short play activity for audiences, where the children get their own utensils to play with! Please be advised there are two performances 11.30am is for the under 4s and the 2pm production for children aged 4 and above. Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children.
The Atkinson’s first Big Imaginations Children’s Festival begins on Saturday 19 October and runs until Sunday 3 November. With lots going on for children up to 12 years of age throughout the festival – but especially during the October half term. Big Imaginations is a network of 15 venues that works hard to bring the very best in children’s theatre to the North West.
The Ice Book starts The Big Imaginations Festival on Sunday 20 October, with a miniature theatre show made of paper and light. This exquisite experience of fragile paper cutouts and video projections sweep you right into the heart of a fantasy world. It is an intimate and immersive experience of animation, book art and performance. Tickets are £3.50 with performances taking place every half an hour from 12noon to 3.30pm. Suitable for ages 10+
Author Jon Mayhew pops into The Atkinson on Monday 21 October at 5pm for a chat about spooky stories, the background to his Mortlock Series and throws in a few monster stories for good measure. He will be reading from his work and answering questions at this free event in association with Waterstones books, who will be selling copies of his work to be signed after the event. Please book your tickets to this event, even though it is free as numbers are limited. Suitable for 8+. The event lasts approximately an hour.
We take you to the moon with Luna on Tuesday 22 October at 2pm. After spotting a young boy hiding from shadows on his bedroom wall that look like monsters, Luna –the only moon decides to slide down from the sky to make friends with him. Together they go on adventures of light and dark to help him overcome his fears of the night time. Tickets are £7.50 adults and £5.50 children. Suitable for ages 2-5.
On Wednesday 23 October at 5pm in the library we catch up with author Cathy Cassidy for a gossip and a chat. This free event with the author of Coco Caramel and the other Chocolate Box series gives fans a chance to hear Cathy read from her work, answer questions and buy one of her books for signing from Waterstones, who will be there on the night. The event lasts approximately an hour.
Join Nessie the Elephant Bridesmaid on Friday 25 October at 2.30pm and help them as they go in search of an outfit fancy enough (and large enough) to make her the Australian jungle’s first and most beautiful Elephant Bridesmaid. Come wearing your fancy clothes or fancy dress for a chance to take part in a fabulous fashion show live on stage! Tickets are £7.50 adults and £6.50 children. Suitable for ages 4-104.
on Sunday 27 October at 2.30pm you had better hold onto your hats as Mind The Gap Theatre Company invite you to walk the plank with Treasure Island. There will be mutiny at Flints! As the modern day and fantasy worlds collide, Flints supermarket becomes the scene for this classic adventure of Hawkins, Long John Silver, parrots and pirates. Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children. Suitable for ages 7+.
The final event as part of the Big Imaginations Festival is The Boy Who Cried Wolf from Tutti Frutti Theatre Company on Sunday 3 November. This beautiful new wintery tale inspired by the famous Aesop fable about a boy, unable to find delight in what is around him and instead seeks adventure, excitement and the thrill of the unknown! Actor musicians play delightful characters, funny sheep and perhaps a scary wolf or two… Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children. Suitable for 3+
Other events as part of the festival include arts and craft sessions for all the family, run by Creation Station. The Family Fun Sessions are available on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October between 10.30am – 11.30am at a cost of £5 per child or £2.50 for siblings.
For parents wanting a break for an hour Creation Stations Create Club is perfect, as you do not have to stay! The club is taking place Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 October between 11am – 12pm. £10 per child / £6.50 for siblings with drinks and snacks provided.
For families that love film we have Tim Burton’s – The Corpse Bride on Saturday 26 October at 11am – just in time for Halloween! Tickets are only £1.50 and children get a free drink to enjoy during the film.
The Big Imaginations festival may have finished after 3 November, but the work of the Big Imaginations network and children’s theatre events continue in earnest at The Atkinson. Image Musical Theatre brings Scrooge- The Musical on Saturday 9 November at 2.30pm. Charles Dickens’ much loved story of Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Present and Future has the opportunity for the whole audience to sing the chorus to the songs and for some children to play the carol singers, the Cratchit children and other parts of this family theatre event to get you in the mood for Christmas! Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children. Suitable for 4+
We continue the Christmas theme with Blunderbus Theatre Company’s new production of I’ve Seen Santa on Sunday 8 December at 2.30pm. This charming tale about a bear, who doesn’t want to go to sleep as he wants to see Santa, is an irresistible blend of music, puppetry and high energy storytelling. A funny, festive adventure with a very happy ending, with a special appearance from Santa himself! Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children. Suitable for 3+
Finally we end of children’s theatre season on Saturday 21 December at 11.30am & 2.30pm, with Topsy Turvy Theatre Company’s production of The Lost Present. Using handmade puppets, original music, and delightful storytelling, The Lost Present is an enchanting tale about friendship. The perfect gift for families at Christmas! Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 children. Suitable for
Dommy B presents The Dragon Who Hates Poetry on Sunday 10 November at 2pm .This fast-paced performance of his debut show that is full of audience participation, has Dominic asking for your help to bring his fearful dragon’s reign to an end. Tickets £4. A free poetry workshop is available for children that attended after the show! Max 30 for the workshop – first come first served! Suitable for ages 7+.
There are also the monthly family films to look out for. All films are shown on a Saturday at 11am and are just £1.50 a ticket and every child is given a free drink to enjoy. We start with Wreck it Ralph (28 September), The Corpse Bride (26 October), The Croods (30 November) and we end with a classic Christmas tale of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (14 December).
For more information and to book tickets for The Atkinson’s events, please come in and see us, visit theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333. The Atkinson is committed to catering for families and young people as part of its varied programme, so look out for more exciting announcements coming soon!
Posted on 11 September 2013 under General news
