CANTERBURY CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Returns to The Marlowe

Canterbury Children's Festival returns to The Marlowe this half-term holiday, with performances, workshops and activities.

Michael Morpurgo's Running Wild, based on a true story and featuring life-size puppets, is at The Marlowe Theatre (from Wednesday 31 May), while The Marlowe Studio has different shows each day (from Tuesday 30 May).

The Teddy Bears' Picnic combines ballet and story-telling for the very youngest festival-goers (from six months), while Better Together tells the story of how three clowns become best friends. Combining slapstick, acrobatics and comedy, this show is presented by Aca Theatre, a local company.

The Three Musketeers features The Three Half Pints (of CBeebies' Justin's House and Spot Bots) in a new adventure of chivalry, swordplay and suddenly falling over. One of the shows will be a Relaxed Performance (3pm, Thursday 1 June).

The Boy And The Mermaid features puppetry, storytelling, music and song, and is the story of Dylan, who lives with his grandma in small fishing town. He is forbidden from venturing beyond the shore, but tales of the deep only whet his appetite.

Pop! is a magical comedy show from the award-winning performer Christian Lee, and tells of a day at the seaside, bubbles, snowflakes and a giant balloon.

Free activities around The Marlowe include a safari and a picnic with Big Blue (the festival's mascot), dance skills workshop, circus skills workshop, Beached (a tiny tale about Arnold, whose morning walk becomes an adventure), family theatre tours, story time, and a craft corner.

For full details and to book tickets, call the Box Office on 01227 787787, or go to marlowetheatre.com.