It’s that time of the year again when faded TV stars help to fend off bankruptcy by starring in Christmas pantomimes. Actor: ‘Where’s my career?’ Audience: ‘It’s behind you!’ However, at Manchester Wire we favour things a little less mainstream – so below are three alternative Christmas shows for kids (and adults!) to enjoy…
59 Minutes to Save Christmas at Z-arts
Z-arts is a creative space for young people in Hulme, and in late December it will host a seasonal play from the Slung Low Theatre Company. 59 Minutes to Save Christmas is an interactive performance during which the kids in the audience help the cast to foil the evil Professor Meanwood. Following the show, there will be ‘Art Cart’ session where youngsters can make their own piece of art inspired by the play. The centre’s café will be open to all -and for reasonable prices, there will be turkey sandwiches, mince pies, and also mulled wine for the grown-ups. The show is recommended for children aged six and above.
Sat 20 – Wed 24 Dec, Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, M15 5ZA, show times vary, £8 (£6 conc), www.z-arts.org
Slava’s Snow Show at The Lowry
Slava’s Snow Show, an Olivier Award-winning stage play for children, is coming to The Lowry for a short run in early December. Influenced by Charlie Chaplin and Marcel Marceau, the story is enacted by a world-renowned company of clowns, led by Slava Polunin, artistic director of the St Petersburg Circus. The show is set in a winter wonderland, and sees the audience covered with fake snow, and a giant cobweb. Since it was first staged 20 years ago, this hugely popular show has been performed in over 80 cities across the world. It is strictly for children over three, and is recommended for those over five.
Tue 9 – Sat 13 Dec, The Lyric Theatre, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, show times vary, £18 – £37, www.thelowry.com
Peter Pan Goes Wrong at The Lowry
Since opening earlier this year, The Play That Goes Wrong has been a huge success both in the West End and on tour. It centres on a less-than-prestigious drama club who are trying to perform a 1920s murder mystery, and are failing miserably. In this show, the sequel, the same gang of hapless thesps try their hand at Peter Pan. Disaster strikes every aspect of the play in this knock-about comedy that runs from mid-December through until January at The Lowry. It is billed as ‘fun for all ages’, but as it’s a little more ‘meta’, the show might be better appreciated by slightly older children. And adults too, of course.
Tue 16 Dec 2014 – Sun 11 Jan 2015, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, show times vary, £18 – £28, www.thelowry.com
- Words:
- A. James Simpkin
- Published on:
- Fri 21 Nov 2014
