Family Arts Weekend at Theatr Clwyd in Mold is a low-cost series of activities for all the family, featuring brilliant shows and events from the most exciting performers from Friday, July 27-Sunday, July 29.

Three full days of shows, storytelling, face art and theatre make-up, music, dance, cinema and crafts headline the Family Arts Weekend.

There are 10 live shows and workshops in dance, drama, animation, singing and creative play.

Gwennan Mair Jones, Theatr Clwyd’s director of creative engagement, said: “We warmly welcome the whole family, from babies to grandparents, for three days of celebrations featuring wonderful live shows, music, a big choice of exciting activities and cinema.

“It’s a weekend packed with fun and lots of opportunities to try new things and make discoveries.

“Come up the hill to start your summer with a special weekend to share with family and friends.”

There’s live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters in Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, based on the bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Suitable for five to 12 year olds, with performances throughout the weekend, these delightful tales are based on the popular books Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze and guarantee funky moves, toe-tapping tunes and lots of giggles.

WNO perform in the main bar at Theatr Clwyd in Family Arts Weekend
WNO perform in the main bar at Theatr Clwyd in Family Arts Weekend

For younger children, age three and upwards, there’s A Square World, the touching story of three friends and what happens when an unexpected change leaves one of them left out in the cold and The Doodle Dance Show, a playful, interactive show that will get everybody doodling and imagining together.

A delight for everyone, from just weeks old to age four, The Adventures of Pom is a visual and sensory exploration of the Greek myth Persephone with music, moving images and puppetry.

Other events for 0 to four years include Shhh, The Elves Are Very Shy, presented by Elf-ologist Fay Greenwood who is bringing two of her tiny friends to meet us and You’ve Got Dragons, a musical, highly visual and sensitive production about one child’s journey to come to terms with their dragons.

Adventure Babies, 0 to four years, is an interactive event which brings books alive through storytelling, sensory props, messy play, lights and much more.

Malcolm and the Storydrivers brings a very special VW campervan (Malcolm) to the theatre for a live storymaking adventure.

Artistic Fun at Theatr Clwyd's Family Arts Weekend
Artistic Fun at Theatr Clwyd's Family Arts Weekend

Inside, young audience members are invited on an adventure in to solve puzzles, play games and think creatively as they are guided through a narrative journey.

Using 967 building blocks children will assemble their own creations, inspired by the adventure they’re on.

For older children, seven and over, The Origin of Species is an acclaimed musical comedy about how Charles Darwin discovered the secrets of evolution and why it took him over 20 years before he plucked up the courage to publish his remarkable idea. Science has never been so much fun!

Music in the main bar ranges from Welsh National Opera’s Hansel and Gretel, an opera in 30 minutes with audience participation, to Gypsy Jazz: Billy Thompson Trio, improvisation from the violinist and his band to get you up on your feet.

Tiddler and other Terrific Tales will be at Theatr Clwyd's Family Arts Weekend
Tiddler and other Terrific Tales will be at Theatr Clwyd's Family Arts Weekend

For young dance lovers, Hip Hop Dance is also a free event.

Art and play includes Manga Art Animation, a workshop on how to draw Japanese manga or anime art for eight year olds and upwards and, for six years and upwards, Below The Waves Animation, a workshop on 2D and stop-motion animation which includes design/storyboard processes, creating scenes, filming and editing.

Cardboard Chaos is creative fun using cardboard for all the family and Wild Waste gives the opportunity to invent magical worlds and crazy characters using everyday objects and materials.

Welsh language storytelling, features the traditional Norwegian tale Y Trol Cas, re-told in Welsh.

The Doodle Dance Show
The Doodle Dance Show

Cymraig Y Blant/For Kids also features Stori a Chan, stori and rhymetime for babies and children, suitable for both non-Welsh speaking parents and fluent speakers, and Baby Yoga, ideal for an early introduction to Downward Dog.

Cinema includes Incredibles 2, as well as screenings of The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom and Welsh cartoons, 45 minutes of S4C animation for kids including Teifi, Gelert and SuperTed.

Family films are screened throughout the weekend in the cinema.

Tickets for shows in the Family Arts Weekend cost £2-£5, with many free events, and are available now on 01352 701521 or see www.theatrclwyd.com for full details. Advance booking is recommended.