The Ministry of Lost & Found at Central Library

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
The Ministry of Lost and Found at Central Library
Joel Chester-Fildes

The Ministry of Lost & Found at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 14 September 2019 Entrance is free — Visit now

A long, long, time ago, the government commissioned intrepid explorer, Philias Finder, to start The Ministry of Lost & Found – a secret department tasked with protecting the most curious and precious objects ever lost or found.

Last year The Ministry celebrated their 123rd anniversary, and now they return to Manchester’s Central Library for a brand new expedition. Should you wish to accept it, your mission is help Frankie Found find Leo Lost, who has disappeared. Frankie has called everyone she knows and Leo still can’t be found. Is Leo lost, hiding somewhere or has something more mysterious happened?

The Ministry of Lost & Found is a family-friendly afternoon of fun, laughter and exploration. Brought to you from the Producers at Z-arts, the event features some of Manchester’s most experienced children’s theatre performers. Families are invited to join the celebration by picking up a map from the Lost and Found office before starting out on their trek around the vast and beautiful interior of the iconic building.

You’ll be greeted by Frankie at the Lost & Found Office and from there, join the search party led by Frankie’s Ministry friends on the mission around the iconic library building. In the company of Fenella von Hoop, Professor Arty Farty Pants and Kabantu Junk Band, there will be the opportunity to take part in a hula hooping performance, find new sounds with the junk orchestra in the music library and craft origami bookmarks in the Reading Room. You will also be treated to a performance by Miss Dotty Marbles, the Ministry’s librarian who has lost the plot, and in her other life stars in Channel 4’s Drag SOS!

New for 2019 is The Ministry Cellar, the home of lost and unknown creature, Boggo. Families can get involved in this interactive experience, in which they’ll be challenged to find the keys that could unlock the door and lead them to Leo. Can they enter the Cellar without waking Boggo though?

Set in Manchester’s imposing Grade II listed Central Library, The Ministry of Lost and Found promises to be a really special day out for all of the family. With Central Library as the host there will of course be plenty of opportunities to experience the joy of reading with your family. All you need to do is remember your picnic!

The Ministry of Lost & Found at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 14 September 2019 Entrance is free Visit now

Two women chatting at a table
Until
ActivityManchester
Conversation Club

Improve your English conversation skills with likeminded adults in Central Library’s Conversation Club.

free entry

Where to go near The Ministry of Lost & Found at Central Library

St Peters Square Manchester
City Centre
St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is a public space in Manchester – home to the city’s iconic library, town hall, Pankhurst statue, art gallery and famous Midland Hotel.

Manchester Art Gallery. Photo by Andrew Brooks
City Centre
Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery

The Charles Barry-designed, Grade I-listed Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s leading galleries and is back open for visitors once more.

Chinatown
Hotel
The Alan

This high-end city-centre restaurant has an excellent afternoon tea option that more than matches up to the superb main menu.

Salut Wines
Chinatown
Bar or Pub
Salut Wines

Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or  “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Manchester Art Gallery Cafe

Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

Contemporary Six, art gallery in Manchester
City Centre
Gallery
Contemporary Six

Contemporary Six is an independent commercial art gallery in Manchester city centre, set up by Alex Reuben in 2010.

What's on: Childrens

Halloween in the City
FestivalsCity Centre
Halloween in the City 2024

Halloween In The City is back to haunt Manchester with a petrifying programme of Halloween-themed events and activities taking place across the city centre.

free entry

Culture Guides