MIF 2017: The Welcoming Party at the Museum of Science and Industry

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

Book now

The Welcoming Party

4-16 July 2017

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

The Welcoming Party workshops in London, UK February 2017 © Donald Christie
Book now

We can’t think of a better place to stage a world premiere experience on journeying and identity than the world’s first railway warehouse.

The atmospheric, listed building is hauntingly beautiful (in that unique, Mancunian industrial way) and the site of world changing events as goods were stored and traded from across the globe, paths crossed as they never had before and the original, modern city was born.

Aimed at ages 8 and above, The Welcoming Party promises to be a thrillingly interactive and immediate adventure from critically acclaimed children’s theatre deities Theatre-Rites, originators of site-specific children’s performance and is co-produced by Manchester’s own venue for families, Z-arts.

Prepare for a one-in-a-lifetime expedition involving people from across the world seeking a redefined concept of home. Expect interactive theatre, dance, live music, masterful puppetry, installations, special effects and, no doubt, many surprises and moments of wonder as you playfully experience notions of difference, how you make choices and create personal and collective impact.

We are excited that families are not going to be short-changed and can have the boundary-breaking quality of experiences they deserve at such a significant festival. This is surely going to be live and shared experience at its best.

In a city proud of individual and collective identities alike, we can’t wait to step through those doors.

Where to go near MIF 2017: The Welcoming Party at the Museum of Science and Industry

Manchester
Restaurant
Teppanyaki Chinatown

A Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the centre of Chinatown. The focus is on high-quality food with a minimum of theatrics. It doesn’t disappoint.

Manchester
Music venue
Castlefield Bowl

The Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor events pavilion in the inner city conservation area of Castlefield in Manchester. The 8000-capacity arena is often used for food festivals and music events.

Great John Street Hotel in Spinningfields in Manchester.
Castlefield
Hotel
Great John Street Hotel

A converted Victorian school house nestled on the edge of Spinningfields, the Great John Street Hotel has a relaxed and decadent atmosphere.

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Cask

Cask is a well-loved pub on Liverpool Road in Manchester. It has an excellent selection of continental beers and a cosy beer garden.

Castlefield
Event venue
Castlefield Viaduct

Launching in summer 2022, the National Trust and Twelve Architects and Masterplanners will be bringing a new lease of life to Castlefield Viaduct.

Campfield Open Day-3
Castlefield
Event venue
Campfield Market Hall

Having undergone years of transformative and restorative work, the complex will now be known as Campfield Mega Campus, Manchester’s most ambitious creative-tech destination.

Saul Hay Gallery
Manchester
Gallery
Saul Hay Gallery

Saul Hay Gallery, located one of Castlefield’s Victorian red brick buildings, is one of Manchester’s most important commercial galleries.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fenix

Modern Greek Mediterranean cuisine from the team behind Tattu.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Ceramic Sculpture
Exhibitions

Across Manchester and Salford, exhibitions are thinking hard about how things are made – and how materials carry stories.

A pair of white angel wings displayed against a dark, black background. The lower parts of the wings are stained with vivid red, resembling blood splatter.
Theatre

This month’s theatre highlights span dystopian classics, political thrillers and bold new opera.

Music

From underground festivals showcasing emerging talent to global icons unveiling new work, here are our latest live music highlights.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring is coming, at some point. As for now, it’s cold and grim so take our advice and shelter in a nice warm restaurant, pub or bar.

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.

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.