The Magic Bookmark at 53Two

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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The Magic Bookmark

22 February 2025

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

Petite Pantos
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Join Mama G for a delightful panto experience, The Magic Bookmark at 53Two, Manchester this February half term.

Coming direct from New York and heading straight to Manchester, The Magic Bookmark is an award-winning adventure starring ‘everyone’s favourite pantomime dame!’ (Metro), Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Mama G. Interactive, fabulous, and totally, utterly FUN, this show is a must-see for children and grown-ups too. 

Trouble is brewing in Mama G’s library. The dastardly Book Worm doesn’t see the point of books and steals them all! With the world on the brink of literary chaos, Mama G enlists the help of the Magic Bookmark, and YOU, audience members, to save the day. Join Mama G on an adventure across the globe to find three special books that might convince the mischievous Book Worm of the importance of stories. 

While sitting in a theatre in Manchester, you’ll travel to Australia, the Caribbean, and a London library. You’ll experience tales of kindness, empathy, bravery, and self-acceptance, with stories like the The Bear Who Had Nothing to Wear by Jeanne Willis and You Need to Chill by Juno Dawson.

The simplicity of this show adds to what makes it so great. On the stage is a bookcase, a red beanbag, a mini inflatable paddling pool (all will be revealed on the day!) and a flatscreen TV where the sneaky Book Worm appears in animated form.

In true pantomime style, children (and their grownups), will love shouting “he’s behind you,” booing the baddie, and joining in with the on stage action. And while the show may have a few technical surprises, Mama G’s storytelling skills ensure a smooth and hilarious ride from start to finish.

So get ready for an awesome adventure on 22 February as The Magic Bookmark celebrates one of the best things in life – books!  

Where to go near The Magic Bookmark at 53Two

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

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

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Come to Swithens Farm for a great family day out in Leeds. Our farm has plenty to offer whatever age you are!Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around. We now have a farm shop, café, playbarn and petting farm. When we first opened we only had the usual farm animals – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and it was free entry. We now have llamas, alpacas, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and a pony.On the working farm, we breed our own cows, pigs and sheep and we sell the meat through the farm shop and the café. If you buy a sausage sandwich from the café the sausage will be from the butcher who has made the sausage by hand using our own pork. We also produce our own free-range eggs.
Leeds
Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around.

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
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TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

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