Fairytales will take over Manchester Piccadilly station for a few short minutes on Friday 17th February. At 11am on the dot, classical music will begin to play as fairytale characters and creatures from the fairy realm emerge to dance and twirl before disappearing as quickly as they appear.  Families are invited to don their fairy wings, crowns or knight’s outfits and head to Piccadilly to join in. This glimpse into an enchanted world celebrates the launch of the Spellbound Forest, a major, new, family arts event taking place in Delamere Forest in May.

For one weekend in May, a partnership between Wild Rumpus (the team behind the award-winning Just So Festival) and the Forestry Commission is bringing a fairy-tale world to life. Families can explore three paths of the naturally beautiful woodland, each telling the story of a traditional English fairy-tale. Families can follow Tattercoats on her journey from rags to riches, see how they fare against the quest of The Three Heads in the Well and become enchanted by the plight of the Earl Mar’s Daughter.

All the stories are available online from Monday 13th February to read or listen to, so that families have an opportunity to discover what’s in store before they arrive to journey to the King’s Ball at the centre of the forest. Incorporating theatrical performance, music, visual art and dance, this new event from Wild Rumpus aims to create an enchanting adventure that won’t soon be forgotten.

Along the way, the audience will help to create their very own new Fairy Tale, with help from the Manchester Children’s Literature Festival, and will create a marvellous nest sculpture that will live on in the forest long after the magic has faded. Partnerships with Northern Rail and Creative Tourist mean when families travel to the event by train, their adventure will begin with activities weaving some magic on the trains from Manchester and Chester.

Rowan Hoban, Wild Rumpus Director said “At the Spellbound Forest in May, hundreds of families will be stepping into a fairytale world. We’re so excited to be bringing a glimpse of that magic to Piccadilly Station next Friday. What an enchanting surprise for people passing through the station at 11! ”

Families can visit Spellbound Forest from today – 13th February – to read or hear all the stories, view the full programme and start your adventure. Tickets will be available from Friday 17th February. Ticket prices are £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children (3+), or £35 for a family ticket. 

More HERE