This Christmas, we present Inkheart, adapted from Cornelia Funke’s brilliant, worldwide best-selling fantasy adventure novel for children.
Books can take us to a different world – but what happens if that world is full of dark magic and ferocious and forbidding villains, where secrets are revealed and stories come alive?
Join our hero Meggie as she finds herself bang in the middle of the kind of adventure she’s only ever read about in books.
Thrust into an epic battle with the baddest of bad guys, will Meggie and her team of unconventional allies be able to stay one step ahead and keep those they love safe from danger?
Inkheart leaps from page to stage in this funny, thrilling and action-packed UK premiere for families.
Our Artistic Director of Theatre Walter Meierjohann, in collaboration with writer Stephen Sharkey and a distinguished international creative team including award winning designer Stéphane Laimé, create a breathtaking visual world that vividly blurs the boundaries between real-life and fiction.
★★★ “A page-to-stage adaptation, but a refreshing one… a sprightly, good-natured evening that vigorously celebrates the pleasures of reading and theatre.” – The Guardian
★★★★ “My seven-year-old’s eyes lit up as the show opened to reveal a mountain of books as the focal point of the set… It might be a festive production but this ain’t no pantomime – and who would want it to be? Goes a lot deeper than your typical festive family show.” – Manchester Evening News
★★★★★ “Fantastic adventure show for families… Funny in places with lots of surprises along the way. Would definitely recommend for a family outing this Christmas.” – NetMums Manchester
★★★★ “An ambitious and hugely entertaining show full of laughs, with enough darkness and clever stagecraft to make it an appealing and modern alternative to pantomime or other more seemingly ‘Christmassy’ family shows. This one is good for the adults too.” – The Reviews Hub
“Visually stunning… Mainly thanks to the set and the actors, the children in the audience were transfixed throughout, and, when all’s said and done, they are who the production is primarily for.” – Creative Tourist
★★★★ “The boys loved Will Irvine’s Capricorn. He commanded the stage, was suitably scary and cut a dapper criminal silhouette indeed. His henchmen Basta (Darryl Clark) and Flatnose (Griffin Stevens) had them roaring with laughter at their slap-stick and on stage antics, as did Rachel Atkins playing the eccentric and irrepressible Aunt Elinor. Katherine Carlton put in a feisty performance, incredibly believable as a 12-year-old, and Kelly Hotten’s narration was delightfully light and graceful.” – The Good Review
“A good family show, great fun in places and with positive messages about books and fiction.” – British Theatre Guide
“An absolute treat of a family production… Clever, engaging.” – Manchester’s Finest
“A fun night at the theatre for adults and children alike.” – Weekend Notes
“Ticks all the boxes for Yuletide enjoyment… It’s well worth a visit.” – About Manchester
“Katherine Carlton is uncannily convincing as a 12-year-old, and Rachel Atkins, as Elinor, is a comic delight… There were a lot of kids watching with us tonight, and they seemed to find it an utter joy.” – Bouquets & Brickbats
“A high-spirited production with inventive staging… An adventure, a love story and a coming of age tale with great performances.” – The Play’s The Thing
“All the children I could see seemed to absolutely love the performance. There was laughter (in all the right places!), and at the end the children were the ones giving the loudest applause. A show that appeals to everyone, theatre for young people with some very grown up ideas.” – Quiet Man Dave
“To see it adapted for the UK stage here in Manchester is a treat for Inkheart fans and something different for first-time viewers… A story for all to enjoy.” – The Culture Review Manchester
“Magical… It is heartwarming to see the power and importance of books and reading given such theatrical weight… There feels as much for the adults as the children… Director Walter Meierjohann should feel justifiably proud of this first HOME Christmas production which hits all the right notes” – Gaydio
“Funke’s message of the hope gained from reading and the power of our imagination certainly hits home.” – Morning Star
“Family friendly, full of humour and all the imagination of a child, this is a show to catch this festive season as an alternative to the pantomime.” – Mancunion
“When Walter Meierjohann’s version begins with a narrator perched on top of a mountain of books, the audience gasp… There is a sense of magic emanating from the stage” – Manchester Confidential
“Inkheart helps confirm Manchester’s still-new HOME as a space for fresh ideas and approaches… increasingly impressive. There are good performances, with Rachael Atkins, in the plot’s driving seat finely mixing enthusiasm, curiosity and intelligence.” – Reviewsgate
“Perfect festive fare… There are lashings of humour and adventure on show here. It’s a lively show and the cast are giving it some welly.” – Northern Soul
“If you’re looking for a play that beats strong and true, a Christmas show that beats the rest, Inkheart is warmly recommended. Inkheart has a host of memorable characters… A wonderful Christmas show.” – Jildy Sauce
“For those not so familiar, think Harry Potter meets Artemis Fowl – this is edgy, gripping stuff. Funke is high priestess of the pre-teen bookshelf, and deservedly so for the richness of her storytelling and characterization. The real thrill of Inkheart for its readers is that its menace is grown-up – genuinely villainous and dark, with complex characters.” – Creative Tourist
Listen to what people have said about Inkheart so far…