There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Waterside Arts

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Waterside, Manchester
1 November 2024

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

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Waterside Arts
Pam Adams
Book now

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly… I don’t know why she swallowed a fly…

On Friday 1 November, The People’s Theatre Company is bringing the well known rhyme, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly to Waterside Arts, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of author Pam Adams’ best-selling book. This new adaptation of the classic tale, described as “thoroughly entertaining and brilliant fun” by Patricia Goodwin, (What’s on Stage) offers a fresh, very fun, and pretty different twist to the original!

In this new version, aliens from a distant planet have crash-landed on Earth and desperately want to go home! But the thing is, their rocket ship doesn’t run on fuel; it runs on stories. To save these stranded extraterrestrials, only the best story in the universe will be enough. What better tale to tell than the silly, crazy rhyme about the old lady who mysteriously swallows a fly—among other creatures?!

Jam-packed with action, animation, and puppetry, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly will engage kids while appealing to adults too – who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia?

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Waterside Arts is literally great for families of all ages, particularly for those with children aged 3+. At 60 minutes long and with lots of interaction throughout, it’s a great way to introduce kids to theatre.

Where to go near There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly at Waterside Arts

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
Park
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..

Sale
Restaurant
Meze & More

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

shop
Stretford
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
Manchester
Park
Longford Park

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

Manchester
Park
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.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Music in the North

Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

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.
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.