YOUNGSTERS are being invited to join the party as the Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre returns to York Theatre Royal this month with a packed programme on the theme of ‘parties and celebrations’ featuring exciting shows and activities for everyone aged 0 to 12 years.

Dinosaurs, cloud spotters, puppets, robots and a scrumptious new musical adaptation of Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake are all part of the fun and games in the festival presented by York Theatre Royal and Tutti Frutti.

The Theatre Royal foyer will be transformed into a playful wonderland of fun, Juliet Forster, Associate Director at York Theatre Royal, said: “We take pride in making and presenting theatre for children that is as high quality as our work for adult audiences. The Little Feet Festival is a chance for families to see the best children’s theatre touring the UK which has been curated around the theme of parties and celebrations – there is also the opportunity to hold your own party with us.

“As usual, we will be transforming our venue into a welcoming space for families to enjoy, whether coming to see a show, take part in an activity or just to spend time in a fun and child-friendly venue in the city centre.”

Little Feet Festival

INSIDE Tue 12 June, (1 – 4 years), Main House, 11.45am 1 – 2.5 years, 1.30pm 2.5 – 4 years

An immersive journey from conception to birth. Features multi-sensory theatre, puppetry and sound-making for an intimate and interactive show that’s perfect for 1 to 4 year olds.

£14 adult and 1 child. Additional child £8.50

CLOUD TALES (3-8 yrs), Studio

Meet two cloud spotters. They know clouds love to tell silly stories to each other. But clouds do drift off! Come and help Mud Pie Arts finish the cloud tales. Become a cloud spotter too.

Tue 12 June, 1pm and 4.30pm

Tickets £7.50

ME AND MY BEE (5+ yrs), Studio

Climate change is massive. Bees aren’t. Multi-award winning company ThisEgg invites you to save the world, one bee at a time. A new family comedy for children and adults alike.

Wed 13 June, 11am and 1pm.

Tickets £12.50, £7.50 child

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE (3+ yrs), Main House

Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs with this new interactive show for all the family.

Wed 13 and Thur 14 June, Wed 1.30pm & 4.30pm; Thu 10.30am & 4.30pm

£14, £8.50 10+ groups

SH… BANG! (3+ yrs), Studio

Two characters set out on a journey through a world of Boings, Whooshes and Tick-Tocks. A delicate theatre-dance performance for children and their families, playfully exploring sound and silence.

Thu 14 June, 11am and 1pm

Tickets £8.50

A SQUARE WORLD (3-6 yrs), Studio

Three friends decide to change the square world in which they live with a little fun and chaos so they can keep playing together forever. Object puppetry and sound create an imaginative world where anything can happen.

Fri 15 June, 11am, 1.30pm and 6pm

£12.50 adult, £7.50 child

ERROR 404 (8+ yrs), Main House

There’s a boy. No more than ten years old. You know someone just like him, except his best friend is a robot. Join him on a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, music and games – you might even change the ending.

Fri 15 June, 3pm and 5pm

£12.50 adult, £7.50 child

CHOCOLATE CAKE (4+ yrs), Main House

Follow the adventures of two brothers and the mysterious night-time disappearance of a chocolate cake in this scrumptious new musical adaptation of Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake, by the team that adapted We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.

Sat 16 June, 1.30pm and 3.30pm

£14, £8.50 U16s, family ticket available

  • Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Main House and Studio, June 12-16. For tickets contact the Box office 01904-623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk