Mr Popper's Penguins at Waterside, Sale: dates, prices, and we're at press night

We're going to the press night on Friday 27 November, all four of us, and the review will be up that weekend.

Mr Popper's Penguins is Waterside's Christmas show in Sale this year, running from Monday 30 November to Sunday 27 December 2026. It's by Pins and Needles Productions, the company behind the stage version of Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas, and it's recommended for age 3 and over, which puts Thomas right on the line and his sister comfortably inside it.

The story

Mr Popper is a painter and decorator who dreams of Antarctic adventures. One day a packing crate arrives at his house and a penguin waddles out, and then it gets out of hand. It's based on the Richard and Florence Atwater book, with songs by Luke Bateman and Richy Hughes and performing penguin puppets. The Stage called the puppetry outstanding; The Sunday Times said it hits all the right child-friendly notes.

Dates, prices and the relaxed one

Public performances run through December, times vary. Tickets are £21.50 (concessions £18.50), or £19.50 (£16.50) for performances between Saturday 19 and Saturday 26 December. There are £10 low-income tickets for the Saturday 5, Sunday 6 and Sunday 27 December performances, which is worth knowing. There are schools performances on weekday mornings and early afternoons, including a relaxed performance on Monday 7 December at 10.30am.

Book tickets

Booking is at watersidearts.org, or by phone on 0161 912 5616.

Getting there

Waterside is at 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, M33 7ZF, right by Sale Metrolink stop. From Wigan allow about 45 minutes by car.

Thanks to Waterside for the invitation. We'll say what we thought, penguins and all.