REVIEW - MEET THE HATTER AT Z-ARTS MANCHESTER — A MAGICAL FAMILY THEATRE EXPERIENCE
- Feb 23
- 2 min read
Last weekend we headed to Z-arts Manchester to see Meet the Hatter, and it turned out to be one of those really special theatre experiences that stays with you long after you leave.
From the moment the lights dimmed, we were completely pulled into the Hatter’s magical world.
Alice (8) and Leo (6) were absolutely mesmerised — and honestly, so was I.
A Story About Imagination and Belonging
The show follows the Hatter as he prepares for his famous tea party, only to discover that no one has arrived. Instead of giving up, he turns to his imagination and begins creating his own Wonderland — a journey filled with adventure, discovery and self-belief.
What I loved most is how easy the story was for children to understand without it ever feeling childish. The themes of loneliness, creativity and finding confidence were beautifully woven into the experience.
Alice sat completely wide-eyed watching the projections transform around the performer, and Leo barely moved in his seat the whole time — always a sign he’s totally absorbed.
Visually Stunning From Start to Finish
The production uses projection, lighting, music and dance together to create constantly changing worlds, and it really does feel magical.
The performer appears to step into different environments — from starry skies to imaginative landscapes — and it genuinely feels like watching someone move inside a living storybook.
It’s such a treat visually and sparks the imagination in a way that feels exciting rather than overwhelming for children.
A Brilliant Performance
The performance we saw featured Dominic Coffey as the Hatter, and holding an audience’s attention alone on stage for an hour is no small achievement.
He brought warmth, humour and emotion to the role, making the character feel relatable and engaging from the very beginning. The physical storytelling was so clear that even without dialogue you always understood what he was feeling.
The Moment the Kids Loved Most
The ending was probably Alice and Leo’s favourite part.
There’s a joyful interactive finale where children are invited to get up and dance, and both of them absolutely loved joining in. Alice proudly showed off her dance moves — and when the Hatter came into the audience and gave her a high five, she was beaming with happiness.
Those little moments are the ones children remember.
Our Overall Thoughts
Meet the Hatter at Z-arts Manchester is imaginative, uplifting and genuinely magical for families.
It’s one of those shows that works beautifully for both children and adults — creative, visually exciting and full of heart.
We left feeling inspired, happy and very glad we’d gone.
If you’re looking for something a bit different for a family theatre trip, this is definitely worth seeing.
Comments