From a menagerie of 75 puppets to a single wooden stick, May Half Term fun comes in all shapes and sizes at artsdepot. Children as young as two can enjoy inventive storytelling, humorous characters and thoughtful book adaptations on stage.

Stick By Me

Stick by Me is “a joyful and funny show” (The Guardian) about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things. Created by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron, makers of international hit show White, its non-verbal, physical comedy captures young audiences’ minds with visual storytelling and inventive use of simple props. Imaginatively told, its humour appeals to parents and children, who are invited to stay and play after the show.

Stick by Me builds on Manley and Cameron’s vast experience of creating performances for very young children. Andy Manley created My House, one of the first shows made in Scotland for very young audiences, and has built a reputation as one of Scotland’s most experienced performers and makers. Stick by Me is his follow up to My House – where exploration of simple materials and development of a physical and comedic performance were the main creative drivers for developing the work.

Suitable for ages 3-6.

Sunday, May 26, 11am and 2pm

Times Series:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The timeless book classic has made its way off the page and onto the stage. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller (Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show), The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, faithfully adapting four of Eric Carle’s stories, including the tale of the eponymous crawler, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, and The Very Lonely Firefly. The show celebrates the 50th Birthday of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by author and illustrator Eric Carle, has been loved by generations of readers since it was first published in 1969, selling more than 43 million copies worldwide. Carle’s books are known for his iconic colourful hand-painted tissue paper collage illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing generations of children to a bigger, brighter world.

Suitable for ages 2+.

Thursday, May 30, to Sunday, June 2, various times

Times Series:

artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley. Details: 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk