REFRACT:21 Families at Waterside

Refract:21 at Waterside, Manchester, 22–31 July 2021 - Book now

The team at Waterside Arts know a thing or two about entertaining families with engaging theatre performances and with that in mind, their fourth Refract:21 festival which takes place over ten days this July is very much eagerly awaited.

Packed with slapstick and sure to induce lots of giggles, your little ones will be thrilled to enjoy their sandwiches alongside this spectacle – complete with messy near-misses.

Over the course of the festival there’ll be a whole host of lively shows for little ones and their grown-ups, including theatre featuring live animation, music to get you moving and interactive clown performances.

Particular highlights in this year’s programme for families include Groove into the Woods, We All Wobble and Run Wild! from comedy troupe The Noise Next Door.

Combining live animation and magical adventure, Groove Into the Woods follows three friends into a magical fairytale forest where they learn some important lessons about who you can trust, who your friends are and which troll might eat you! While these may sound like weighty topics this production is anything but. Lighthearted and chocka with funky tunes (courtesy of the Groove Baby Organs) it’s been especially designed to be engaging for audiences aged 3 and up.

We All Wobble welcomes families to join a pair of loveable clowns as they ‘weeble’ and ‘wobble’ their way through a chaotic picnic. Packed with slapstick comedy and sure to induce lots of giggles, your little ones will be thrilled to enjoy their sandwiches alongside this spectacle – complete with heaps of messy near-miss incidents.

Run Wild! is an hour-long show full of fun, brought to you by The Noise Next Door. Expect singing and improv comedy that will get the whole family involved.

There’s also a wide array of free family events to be enjoyed outdoors, including a talking ambulance courtesy of D.O.C, an energetic dance show from The Weather Machine, while Grow will inspire you to get out and enjoy nature.

Bursting with thought-provoking entertainment for the whole family, we think Waterside’s Refract:21 festival is unmissable.