Black Beauty at Z-arts

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Red Bridge Arts

Black Beauty at Z-arts, Manchester 6 — 15 December 2018 Tickets from £6 — Book now

Manchester’s dedicated venue for children and their grown-ups is always one to defy schmaltzy family shows in lieu of more suprising experiences.  Lucky for us that Z-arts has Christmas nailed this year with a multi-award winning take on the classic tale of Black Beauty that has wowed audiences in the UK and New York no less.

Brothers Andy and wee Andy McCuddy (yep they are both called Andy), and their pantomime horse Hamish, are going through difficult times.

Out of work as “Equine Illusionists” due to the current demand in pantomime cows not horses,  they are stranded by the roadside in the horsebox they call home. Forced to sell their belongings they discover their late mother’s favourite book Black Beauty.

Cue wild antics as they re-enact portions of Anna Sewell’s famous, page-turning adventure which reveals the world through the eyes of a horse. This story of perserverence and hope in the face of adversity, intertwines with their own.

Created by Scotland’s acclaimed Red Bridge Arts and Traverse Theatre, expect the best kind of theatrical storytelling for families filled with puppetry, music and set design to take your breath away.

Not just for the horse-mad, this magical show has a string of five star reviews for being uplifting and hilarious while conveying all the messages in the book about kindness, respect, courage and hope.

Grown-ups don’t worry – there are definite nods to the famous TV soundtrack from the 70s, giving you all no excuse to saddle up and head to Z-arts this December.

Black Beauty at Z-arts, Manchester 6 — 15 December 2018 Tickets from £6 Book now

What's on at Z-arts

Where to go near Black Beauty at Z-arts

Venture Arts
Hulme
Gallery
Venture Arts, Manchester

Venture Arts is a progressive visual arts charity based in Hulme, Manchester, with a small exhibition space. It works alongside learning disabled artists to create and show exciting new collaborative visual artwork.

Clay Studio Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
Clay Studio Manchester

Clay studio was founded in 2016 to provide a dedicated workshop for new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. The studio also offers a range of classes for students of all abilities.

Manchester
Event venue
Niamos Centre, Manchester

Niamos is a co-operatively run exhibition, arts, and performance space with a micro bakery, music studio’s, a kitchen and a holistic well-being space in the midst of transformation.

Hulme
Hulme Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome opened its doors on 6 October 1902. In 2018, the historic venue was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS – a collective of artists, musicians and local residents.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

Manchester Metropolitan University Brooks building, Birley Campus in Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
MMU Birley Campus

Birley is Manchester Met’s world-class centre for Education and Health Professionals and the university’s flagship community campus.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.