REFRACT:21 Families at Waterside

Sarah Gaffney-Lang, Families Editor

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Refract:21

Waterside, Manchester
22-31 July 2021

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

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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.

What's on at Waterside

Where to go near REFRACT:21 Families 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
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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..

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Meze & More

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

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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
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Longford Park

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

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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.

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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.

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