Running Wild at The Lowry

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

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Running Wild

Lowry, Salford
18-22 April 2017

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

Johan Perrson
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Inspired by a true story of a girl on an elephant ride whose life was saved when the animal sensed the South East Asian tsunami of 2004 and fled to higher ground, Michael Murpurgo’s Running Wild is his 21st century Just So Stories or Jungle Book.

Lilly escapes with elephant Oona into the jungle, embarking on an adventure encompassing discovery, survival and the choices we make with real human and environmental threats facing the world around us.

Adapted and staged by much of the same team as the theatrical colossus War Horse and originally produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and Regent’s Park Theatre, we expect that tickets for this national tour will go like hot potatoes.

Running Wild, courtesy Johan Perrson

While the twists and turns of the plot may require you to suspend disbelief in all a young girl could possibly bear, this show demonstrates the true magic of theatre which just can’t be replicated on the screen. The sensational life size puppets include Oona the elephant an orangutan family and tiger, with the masterful staging and epic set bringing out all the emotions.

What's on at Lowry

Where to go near Running Wild at The Lowry

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

What's on: Families

Until
FamiliesCity Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2025, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

Free entry
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
A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
FamiliesManchester
The Snowy Day at Z-arts

This winter, families with little ones are invited into a shimmering world of snow and discovery with the new production of The Snowy Day.

From £10.00

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