Bear & Butterfly at Waterside

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

Book now

Bear & Butterfly

Waterside, Manchester
21 January 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image courtesy of Hullabaloo Theatre
Book now

It couldn’t be better timing for this warmhearted show aimed at ages 4 and above to arrive at Waterside when families across the region are possibly lamenting a lack of magic and the fact that all things must change (now the selection box has been eaten and they are back at school) this January.

Bear & Butterfly is a tale of changing friendship where we follow the tale of solitary Bear who encounters his first ever friend, a bright green Caterpillar. This unlikely pair become firm friends with Bear regaling Caterpillar with his heroic tales of derring-do. Both pals are firmly in love with this new-found companionship until Caterpillar must change, like all larva do, into an incredible butterfly.

We are big fans of the North East’s pioneering Theatre Hullabaloo who create perfectly pitched and enchanting experiences that embed young people’s involvement in all stages of the process of making the artistic work itself. Bear & Butterfly has generated much acclaim for its incredible Heath Robinson-esque set, full of curious crannies, contraptions and surprising special effects, as well as the dreamy puppetry, live music and storytelling itself.

Just as we are all coming to terms with 2018 and the possibilities a new year can bring, can Bear come to terms with this change in his friend who now can fly high above the trees and have adventures and stories of his own?

Bear & Butterfly has been praised by audiences and critics alike for dealing with big topics such as change and loss in an elegant, charming and comforting way while letting the joys of love and friendship in life shine through.

Don’t miss the chance to check out Dangermouse and pals in the free Animation City presents The Cosgrove Hall Films exhibition while you are there.

 

 

 

 

 

Where to go near Bear & Butterfly at Waterside

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Bean and Brush Art Café

Bean & Brush is a family art café in Sale which serves simple, tasty food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The bonus for parents is the arts and crafts studio which keeps the kids busy being creative while they can join in or relax with a coffee.

Manchester
Park
Grosvenor Square

Grosvenor Square is one of the few open spaces along Oxford Road Manchester; on sunny days, students from the nearby Manchester School of Art come out to bask.

Manchester
Park
Walkden Gardens

Walkden Gardens in the Manchester suburbs has all the makings of a fairy tale garden. As a venue, it’s hard to imagine a more magical gateway, a wonderful escape only a short(ish) stroll from the Brooklands Metrolink stop..

Sale
Restaurant
Meze & More

An intimate supper club in Sale, South Manchester, with a specialist focus on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine.

shop
Stretford
Shopping Centre
Stretford Mall

Stretford Mall has undergone a major transformation, turning a 60s shopping centre into a vibrant, community-led town centre. Led by Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works.

longford park ben williams
Manchester
Park
Longford Park

Longford Park in Stretford was created in the grounds of Longford Hall, the grand entrance steps of which remain.

Manchester
Park
Wythenshawe Park

With a 17th Century hall set in 109 acres of open parkland, Wythenshawe Park makes a super day out for all ages. Explore the historic woodlands, lush grasslands and meadows; take a stroll around the many themed gardens and check out the sports and leisure facilities on offer.

Beech Road, Chorlton
Bar or Pub
97 Chorlton

97 is a smart new cocktail bar from the team behind Tariff & Dale and The Lead Station, based on Beech Road in Chorlton.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

In galleries around the North this autumn, you'll find tactile sculptures, Treasures with a capital 'T' and plant magic.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.