An interactive world of play and storytelling for 0-8s opens right here at Z-arts on 5th April.
After a sell-out run at Discover Children’s Story Centre in London, Fairy Tales is coming to Manchester.
Featuring some of the most-loved and recognisable characters from fairy stories around the world, visitors to the fully interactive experience at Z-arts – perfect for children aged 0-8 – will be transported into the magical world of The Three Bears, Jack and his Beanstalk, the spider Anansi, and many more.
Families are invited to dress up as fairy tale characters as they follow the trail of breadcrumbs through the story town, exploring nine well-loved tales that originate from England, France, Germany, Ghana and Norway.
Each interactive section includes a number of different activities including the chance to build your own house with a choice of materials at the Little Pigs Builder’s Yard, challenge the hapless Jack to a game of beans in the market or try a delicious meal at Hansel and Gretel’s café.
The exhibition has been designed by Discover Children’s Story Centre in collaboration with illustrator David Litchfield, creator of the award-winning The Bear and the Piano, and prized author Ross Montgomery, who has worked with David on the picture books The Building Boy and Space Tortoise.
Manchester’s Z-arts is the only other UK venue to host the family play and storytelling experience, which is now booking until August 2022.
The full list of fairy tales featured in the exhibition is Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Rumpelstiltskin, Anansi, Hansel and Gretel, Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood and the Musicians of Bremen.
Fairy Tales follows the hugely successful Chocolate Cake and Bad Things, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Adventures of Mog the Forgetful Cat, and A World Inside a Book; Gruffalo’s, Dragons and Other Creatures.
Saskia Metcalf, Head of Creative Development, Z-arts, said: “Snuggling up and listening to fairy tales such as Anansi or Goldilocks is as much a part of early childhood as your first day at school, learning to ride a bike, or taking your first steps.
“The Fairy Tales exhibition gives children and families the opportunity to explore these familiar stories in an kid-sized immersive world creating opportunities for imaginative role play, storytelling, and lots of fun. It’s really like being inside a pop -up book of Fairy Tales ”
Access to the exhibition (50 minutes) is via timed entry Tuesday to Saturday at 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm from Tuesday 5 April 2022 during the school holidays. Term-time its open to the public Friday to Sundays. Tickets are £8 per person and £3 for babes in arms. The last Saturday of every month will be an accessible session for families with additional needs. Socially distanced sessions will be held every Saturday at 10am and all 10am performances during the Easter holidays.
Birthday Parties will be available and more details will be available on the website soon.
You can buy tickets on our website or by calling the Box Office on 0161 226 1912
