Home is set to host a Big Family Day featuring special one-off events, creative workshops and family friendly theatre and film.
The Big Family Day will take place on Sunday 13 December when the venue will open to families.
The BIG Family Day coincides with the UK premiere of HOME’s first ever Christmas production for the whole family; a thrilling adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s worldwide best-selling fantasy novel Inkheart, directed by HOME’s Artistic Director: Theatre, Walter Meierjohann (Fri 4 Dec – Sat 9 Jan). Inkheart is designed by award-winning French designer Stéphanie Laimé, with music composed by Nikola Kodjabashia, who worked on HOME’s Manchester Theatre Award-winning production of Romeo & Juliet last year.
BIG Family Day highlights include:
Silvertongue: An Inkheart Adventure
11:15, 12:30, 14:45 and 16:00 (FREE)
Behind the Scenes and Theatre 1
This event allows audiences to follow in the footsteps of 12-year old Inkheart hero Meggie as she ventures behind the scenes of the theatre, taking members of the public on a journey through unseen spaces, and telling her enchanting story along the way. The backstage tour will end on HOME’s main stage in Theatre 1, where Inkheart author Cornelia Funke will read a chapter from her fantasy novel. For those wanting to take home a piece of the magic, Inkheart books will be on sale from the HOME shop and Cornelia Funke will be present to sign the pages. Suitable for ages 6+. All children should be accompanied by an adult.
Workshop/ Robot Body Pop
11:30, 13:30 and 15:00 (£5 per child/ £4 for Big Family Card holders – accompanying adults go free)
Event Space
These hour long workshops are suitable for children and helper grown-ups. Audiences are invited to join the dancebot revolution as they make their own robot accessories, exploring the choices they make based upon likes and dislikes, sharing robot talents and finishing with a simple dance routine to celebrate their new robot selves. This workshop explores the process of curating, making and performance. Suitable for ages 6+. All children should be accompanied by an adult.
Film/ Bill (PG)
11:30 (£5 per person/ £4 for Big Family Card holders)
Cinema 2
Dir Richard Bracewell/GB 2015/94min
Bill tells the story of what really happened during Shakespeare’s ‘Lost Years’ – how hopeless lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his family and home to follow his dream. It’s a tale of murderous kings, spies, lost loves, and a plot to blow up Queen Elizabeth! Bought to the screen by the team behind Horrible Histories, Bill is a history lesson one will never forget.
Sketch-O-Matic
Fri 4 Dec – Sun 13 Dec (FREE)
12noon – 10pm daily
Entrance Foyer
Following the huge success of two residencies at Cornerhouse, Sketch-O-Matic, the almost instant picture booth with a cult following makes a triumphant return to HOME. Sketch-O-Matic is a full size portrait booth but where the machinery should be situated, instead there is a tiny, fully equipped artist studio complete with artist working away inside. Over the course of ten days and evenings, audiences are invited to sit inside the booth as if for a photograph, and make a minimum donation of £1 per person through the slot.
Inkheart book signing with Cornelia Funke
12:00 – 12:30, 13:15 – 13:45, 15:30 – 16:00, 16:45 – 17:15 (FREE)
Theatre 1
For anyone who can’t make the Silvertongue adventure, HOME offers a unique opportunity to meet Inkheart author Cornelia Funke, who will be signing copies of her book in Theatre 1.
Theatre/ The Boggle
12:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 15:00 (£5 per person/ £4 for Big Family Card holders)
Theatre 2
A brand new show about the strange and mischievous world of English Folklore. John’s dad has given him dire warnings about the strange creature that lives on their farm. So when John forgets to feed the Boggle, he is breaking one of the key rules he has been given. As the mischievous and strange Boggle wreaks havoc, John must set out for adventure and mayhem in faraway lands. How far will he go to be rid of the troublesome creature? And is he just unfortunate – or do we make our own luck in life? Using storytelling, comedy, puppetry, object manipulation and an original soundscape, The Boggle invites you into the fun and bizarre world of myth and folklore. Suitable for ages 6+. All children should be accompanied by an adult. Created & performed by Lawrence Speck.
She Choir Manchester
13:45 – 14:30 (FREE)
Entrance Foyer
This Christmas HOME has joined forces with the She Choir Manchester to liven up the foyer with a selection of self-arranged, quirky versions of Christmas songs to get audiences into the festive spirit.
Parade of the Robots
16:00
Throughout HOME building
All newly activated robots (and those operating undercover in human society) are welcome to join in as they march through the building celebrating the joy of robot-ness as all come together for one last bionic boogie.
Home’s Big Family Day takes place on 13 December.
You may also be interested in:
Maude the Tigon goes on display at Manchester Museum
Cast details announced for Inkheart at Home
Z-Arts launches appeal to fund free theatre tickets for children in care
