Entertainment

From songs & puppets to a ballet-dancing dog named Biff… children’s outdoor theatre returns to Manchester this August

Searching for some free, outdoor fun with your kids this summer? Well, look no further – August sees the return of children’s outdoor theatre across Manchester’s parks.

Organised by Tameside Council Cultural Services with Greater Manchester Arts, the series will include variety of shows to delight and entertain both young and old.

James and the Giant Peach kicks off the series in Audenshaw’s Ryecroft Hall Park on Friday August 4 with theatre company Gambolling Arena’s adaptation of the famous tale, originally part of the celebration for the centenary of iconic author Roald Dahl’s birth.

Stamford Park will see a performance of Dogs Don’t Do Ballet, a feel-good show based on Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie’s award-winning children’s book. Little Blue Monster Theatre’s production of this show has everything you could want, from songs and puppets to a ballet-dancing dog named Biff.

Circus Sensible are taking to Haughton Green Playing Fields on Thursday August 17 to thrill and mesmerise audiences with a true spectacle of a show.

Join the hunt for the perfect seafood picnic spot with iDOLRiCH Theatre Rotto’s adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic Walrus and the Carpenter at Dukinfield Park on Tuesday August 22. This walkabout show is a perfect blend of hilarity, music and gourmet cuisine.

The series finale is Fabularium’s tale Reynard The Fox, an extravaganza of acrobatics, live music, puppetry and masks that follows the trickster Reynard as he tries to prove himself innocent of stealing the King’s Crown Jewels. Head down to Hyde Park on Thursday August 31 to catch this closing performance.  

The shows, all of which are non-ticketed and free to attend, will have morning and afternoon performances at 11:30am and 2:30pm respectively. All shows have been designated smoke-free.

Take along a picnic and blanket and spend some time outdoors in the fresh air this summer whilst watching brilliant theatre. 

Image courtesy of Gambolling Arena via Twitter, with thanks.

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