The best family-friendly shows coming to Lowry

On Sat 21 Jun, Olivier Award-winning West End improv masters The Showstoppers present an interactive and impromptu show for children of all ages.

Devised on the spot entirely from audience suggestions – but only those from the youngest visitors – the wildly inventive production invites ideas for dream musicals, spinning imagination into reality on a quest through a variety of unique settings, where new characters are formed and different narratives take shape.

Whether Shaun the Sheep meets Dora in a magic castle or Peppa Pig and Spiderman explore a haunted graveyard, no tale is too far-fetched in this immersive musical treat.

This July, Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and friends are back in an action-packed live staging of In the Night Garden.

Lasting just under an hour, the absorbing theatre show renders the much-loved children’s characters in mesmerising detail as full-sized puppets and vibrant costumes, as Igglepiggle enlists the audience’s help in finding his friends by following their distinctive sounds.

Based on the original bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, the spellbinding musical adaptation of A Squash and a Squeeze promises a heartfelt and hilarious escapade featuring wondrous puppetry and uplifting songs.

Once upon a time, a little old lady lived alone in a quaint, cosy cottage – the problem was, it felt just too cosy for her liking. She courts the advice of a wise old man, who recommends bringing in a noisy cohort of disobedient, greedy farmyard animals, leaving her to wrangle her new housemates by herself in a side-splitting story of friendship and understanding.

From Thu 28 to Sun 31 Aug, CBeebies turns the Quays Theatre into an all-out family-friendly bonanza packed with infectious songs, thrilling surprises and memorable moments, hosted by CBeebies icons Justin Fletcher, Duggee, Evie Pickerill, Rhys Stephenson and Mister Maker.

Book tickets below and treat your littlest revellers to an unmissable rave packed with dancing, singing, streamers, giant jellies and a CBeebies Bedtime Story with a difference.

Created by New York Times bestselling illustrator Bethan Woollvin, Three Little Vikings brings a bold, funny and thoroughly charming adventure to Lowry with a story guaranteed to delight every rebellious young spirit.

Long ago in a Viking village, everything is going awry – from vanishing chickens to tumbling trees. When the ignorant Chieftain waves away the complaints of three perceptive little Viking girls, they resolve to work together to find the problem and save the day themselves.

Billed as a joyful tale of star-crossed aliens, the Olivier-nominated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved book transports audiences on a magical space odyssey this October.

Hailed as ‘a tour-de-force family show’ in One4Review’s glittering five-star appraisal, the enchanting production lands on a distant planet where Smeds and Smoos are constantly at odds with one another. When a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and fly off into deep space, their families have to try everything they can to get them back safely.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.

CBeebies superstar Justin Fletcher rocks the Lowry with a one-off interactive gig for the ages on Sun 9 Nov, featuring dancing, comedy and an array of smash-hit tunes.

Famous for his BAFTA-winning appearances in Justin’s House, Gigglebiz, Gigglequiz and more, Justin and his friends return to Salford with a brand new theatre show in which they need your help to choose the best songs to perform as a freshly formed rock band.

On Sat 15 Nov, Opera North returns to Lowry with a family-friendly musical mystery ideal for children aged 5-12, featuring live music from the Orchestra of Opera North.

An expert thief is on the run, and detectives need every ounce of help to catch them. Eagle-eyed little ones are encouraged to don their thinking caps, break out the magnifying glasses and use all their crime-solving skills in a case where the suspects are some of the greatest opera characters in history.

Based on Roald Dahl’s ravenous reptilian caper, The Enormous Crocodile arrives at Lowry from the dense green jungle on the hunt for delicious human delicacies, in a mischievous musical featuring toe-tapping tunes, original lyrics and an assortment of vibrant puppets.

★★★★★ ‘A perfect family outing’ London Theatre Reviews

Snap up your tickets below.

This December, the smash-hit West End production of the C.S. Lewis classic brings the journey of a lifetime to Lowry for an unmissable festive run.

Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter on their wintry odyssey through the magical kingdom of Narnia as they unite with Aslan and battle against the Ice Queen in a timeless tale of courage, sacrifice and love that promises ‘a fantastical family treat’ (Telegraph).

Brimming with music, adventure and exciting surprises, Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show brings a brand new adventure to the Lowry stage as part of a UK tour next February.

With a new arrival on the way, Peppa’s family are busy making preparations for the new addition – but the task is bigger than they anticipated. In order to complete the ‘oinktastic’ makeover in time for the big day, they need all the help they can get from the audience.

Arriving at The Lowry with a dose of family-friendly magic this summer, the Olivier-nominated smash-hit production Bluey’s Big Play brings the beloved blue heeler to life with an original story told through delightful puppetry, iconic sets from the BAFTA-winning TV show and a voice cast featuring the original, unmistakable voices from the TV show including Dave McCormack (Bandit) and Melanie Zanetti (Chilli).

Back by popular demand for a ten-day run in Salford having already entertained over a million fans around the world, Bluey’s Big Play invites families to experience a magical adaptation of the world-famous CBeebies series, as Bluey and Bingo pull out all their mischievous tricks and fun-filled games to get Dad off his bean bag in a wildly entertaining Heeler family caper.