Big Family Theatre Weekend

16th - 17th August 2025

Haden Hill House and Park

Come and join us for a jam-packed summer’s weekend of outdoor theatre shows, puppetry, street performers, interactive games, circus workshops and more for all the family!

Dates: Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th August 2025
Times:
12pm - 4pm
Location:
Haden Hill House and Park, Cradley Heath, B64 7JU

It’s free to attend, and booking is not required.

If you would like to donate towards the event, please click on the button below.

The Big Family Theatre Weekend is presented by Sandwell Museums and Arts Service in partnership with Black Country Touring.

Saturday 16th August

  • The Dustbusters

    By Feasible Ferret Theatre

    Times: 12pm / 1:30pm / 3pm (30 minutes)

    Are dust bunnies running wild? Have spiderwebs taken over? Then you need The Dustbusters!

    With only their trusty cleaning trolley, elbow grease and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, these homely and high-spirited housekeepers are determined to make all things spick-and-span. But it’s not all work and no play for these slapstick scrubbers… Mildred, Mavis and Martha will look for any excuse for a chinwag.

    Brimming with comical cleaning expertise, The Dustbusters are guaranteed to have you laughing, dancing and dusting!

  • Wonderland of Games

    By Rhubarb Theatre

    Time: 12pm - 4pm (drop in)

    Join Rhubarb Theatre for a wonderland experience as you shrink into the gardens of the Queen of Hearts amongst her large lawn games.

    Once there, you might get knotted up in the Alice-themed twister, go crackers with the croquet, or become champions of the chequers board.

    But watch out for her court jokers - they bring mayhem and madness as the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and even the Queen herself tumble into play!

  • Special Delivery

    By A Bird in the Hand Theatre

    Times: 12:30pm / 2pm / 3:30pm (20 minutes)

    Special Delivery is a simple story about the delights of trying something unexpected.

    When a heavily laden postman is suddenly surprised by a rain shower he discovers that all his packages have lost their labels. In the process of trying to work out the intended recipients, he discovers a bit more about the people on his rounds - and decides to bring a little sunshine into all of their lives.

    A sweet and gentle show without words, blending beautiful puppetry with a good dollop of silliness!

  • Laika the Space Dog

    By LolliHop Puppet Theatre

    Time: 2:30pm (20 minutes)

    Laika is no ordinary dog. She has been specially selected by the Space Agency to become the first animal to orbit the earth.

    Her training is rigorous and she is finally ready for launch day. With the help of her friend from the Canine Support team, Laika straps in and prepares to blast off!

    Join us for this lively puppet show as Laika undertakes the journey of a lifetime, returning to earth in a shower of glory.

    Lori will be running a puppet making workshop before the show at 1pm.

Sunday 17th August

  • The Wrong Brothers

    By Feasible Ferret Theatre

    Times: 12pm / 1:30pm / 3pm (30 minutes)

    Is it a bird? Is it a plane?... No, it’s definitely not a plane!

    As the age of aviation dawns, Orville and Wilbur Wrong are busy testing their not-so-successful contraptions of flight. Be prepared to be dazzled by their breath-taking aerial stunts, left in awe by their pioneering contraptions and be overcome with admiration for their gloriously groomed moustaches.

    This wacky walkabout act features two different ‘flying contraptions’ and will delight you with slapstick routines and hilarious interactions!

  • Circus Workshops

    By Circus Berzercus

    Times: 12pm / 1pm / 2:15pm / 3:15pm (45 minutes)

    Join Circus Berzercus for some fun circus activities in these drop-in workshops!

    Come along and learn some circus skills - fun for the whole family!

  • Thingamabob

    By Matt Pang

    Times: 12:30pm / 2:30pm (45 mins)

    With an internationally renowned blend of circus, invention and humour, Matt Pang brings to life a giant ball slinging, self exploding piece of handcrafted gadgetry.

    Be part of the mayhem as our intrepid inventor risks nerve wracking failure to bring you one perfect chain reaction... with some help from his little assistant.

  • The Fisher and his Wife

    By Lempen Puppet Theatre Company

    Times: 1pm / 2pm / 3:30pm (20 minutes)

    A very, very long time ago there lived a fisherman, together with his wife, in a small cottage made of dirty old metal. They had everything they ever needed and were happy and content. Then one day, a talking fish starts granting their wishes...

    This traditional story from the fairy tale collection of the Brothers Grimm has a sudden rebirth in this entertaining outdoor show.


The Big Family Theatre Weekend is presented by Sandwell Museums and Arts Service in partnership with Black Country Touring, with funding from Arts Council England and Sandwell Council.