Top 5: Half term events at Waterside ft. theatre, Mary Poppins and more

It may seem that the Easter break is barely behind us, but the final half-term before the long stretch of summer is upon us. If you want to ensure your children stay stimulated and entertained over the May break, you’re in luck with Sale Waterside. With a whole heap of programming covering a variety of genres including film, theatre, and comedy there will be plenty for children and parents alike to enjoy. We round up our Top Five recommendations below.

One for the younguns: The Goose Who Flew
Aimed at younger children, The Goose Who Flew is a heartfelt story of compassion and understanding. Using age appropriate techniques, the performance features puppetry and quirky characters to highlight issues of finding a home in a new land. As he plans to fly south for the winter, Goose finds his way blocked by a new border of barbed wire and fences. After the 40 minute show, audience members are invited to meet Goose, the puppet at the heart of the show.
Sun 26 May, 11am and 2.30pm, £4.50 – £9, www.watersidearts.org

Comedy: When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish
Trolls are traditionally just more than mean people behind a computer screen, and this high energy comedy aims to prove that. After all the animals have disappeared and there’s a line of troll prints heading out of the door, one little girl aims to get to the bottom of the mystery in a unique mix of performance and poetry. Directed by Kevin Dyer, winner of Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best Play for Children and Young People, the play has been much loved by parents and children alike, and his work has been described by the Telegraph as ‘the stuff of golden childhood memories’
Wed 29 May, 11.30am and 2pm, £4.50-£9 www.watersidearts.org

Thrilling theatre: Ruby Redfort
For those worried about James Bond ever becoming a woman, then they’ll be wary of Ruby Redfort who is both a woman AND a teenager. Proving that being a spy is child’s play, Ruby Redfort is on the hunt as some of the world’s greatest criminal masterminds have targeted a supernatural statue. The oddball and hilarious thriller is a production by Escapade Productions from children’s laureate Lauren Child’s tenth novel.
Sun 2 Jun, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, £8-£12, www.watersidearts.org

Film: Mary Poppins Returns
A sequel to a much loved original can always be a tricky proposition, especially when there’s a half century gap between the two but luckily Mary Poppins Returns seems to have retained the magic of the first film. With a star turn from Emily Blunt in the Poppins role, the nanny comes back to visit the now grown Banks children who are facing their own new troubles. Two hours of the old magic for a Saturday evening.
Sat 25 May, 6pm, £2.50 – £5, www.watersidearts.org

Animated feature: Ralph Breaks the Internet
Another sequel to a much loved film, though this time the original was a bit more modern with a mere half a decade gap. Wreck-It Ralph saw a warmly welcome new addition to the family film canon and this time Ralph has discovered a wi-fi router to shoot him into the modern day and the curious world of the internet. The clumsy hero finds himself working his way through the world wide web in the much praised comedy.
Sat 25 May, 2pm, £2.50-£5 www.watersidearts.org

Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF, Tel: 0161 912 5616, times and prices vary, www.watersidearts.org