A PLAY for young children and families telling the story of an unlikely friendship between a bear and a caterpillar is coming to Skipton Town Hall.

Bear and Butterfly, a charming tale of changing friendship for everyone aged four and above, will be staged at 11am and 1.30pm on Friday, January 19.

A perfect first theatre experience, Bear and Butterfly is a 55-minute show suitable for the whole family and for school groups.

When a grumpy bear finds a cheery caterpillar munching on the leaves of his tree one day, his first thought is to ask him to leave.

Gradually however, they become best friends as caterpillar listens to heroic tales of bear’s younger life.

One day caterpillar becomes sick. Bear fears he will lose his friend, but instead he grows into a beautiful butterfly who flies high and has stories of his own.

Puppetry, live music and storytelling combine in a tale about love, loss and friendship.

Miranda Thain, artistic producer at Theatre Hullabaloo, said: “Bear and Butterfly is a wonderful first theatre experience for children and families and explores themes of friendship whilst carefully and sensitively exploring themes around life cycles.”

Bear and Butterfly is produced by Theatre Hullabaloo, a company which tours and promotes theatre for young audiences.

The play has just completed an opening run at Theatre Hullabaloo’s new purpose-built theatre and comes to Skipton as part of a two-month national tour.

Tickets, which cost £5 and £3.75 for under 18s, are available from Skipton Town Hall’s box office from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, or by ringing 01756 792809.