The Magic Bookmark at 53Two

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

The Magic Bookmark

22 February 2025

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

Petite Pantos
Book now

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!  

What's on at 53two

Where to go near The Magic Bookmark at 53Two

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Orme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of South Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Pigeon Beer Wanderer

Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

Image courtesy of Unitom.
Castlefield
Gallery
UNITOM Projects

The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

City Centre
Restaurant
Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
Gallery
Bridge 5 Mill

Bridge 5 Mill is a sustainable event space and community hub on Beswick Street in Ancoats, hosting independent cultural projects and ethical supper clubs.

1853 gallery 1
Manchester
Gallery
1853 Studios

1853 Studios and Gallery is a Creative Studios and community of creative professionals occupying the 3rd floors of Osborne Mill, Oldham.

Deansgate
Restaurant
Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

Tai Wu
Manchester
Restaurant
Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Manchester
Food hall
BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Food and Drink in the North

It's heatwave time, so set your small talk phasers to 'weather' and get out there and grab some cold drinks and delicious food.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre

Discover the summer's most rewarding theatre in libraries, pubs, Fringe venues and unexpected spaces across the North.

“the ripple” artwork by Crowns & Owls courtesy of Good Machine.
Music

From post-industrial romance to experimental country, here's a hot new batch of weird gigs in small venues.

Blue triangles with white clouds on them against a beige backdrop. A gold sun is in the middle.
Exhibitions

Five exhibitions worth your time this month - and between them, a lot of ground covered.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.