Marlowe Theatre Canterbury hosts David Walliams' Awful Auntie as part of Little Words Festival

An exciting new children's festival is running in Canterbury until Sunday.

Little Words is being organised by The Marlowe in association with Wise Words and celebrates stories and storytellers.

AImed at those aged two to 11 it runs until Sunday, June 3.

Shows, events and workshops are taking place at The Marlowe Theatre, The Marlowe Studio, The Marlowe Kit in Stour Street and in the city's lanes and streets.

Here are some of the things you can catch before the festival closes:

Awful Auntie

David Walliams’ amazing tale is live on stage.

From the award-winning producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ tale of frights, fights and friendship, featuring a very large owl, a very small ghost and a very awful Auntie! The show is recommend for children five and over and is showing at The Marlowe Theatre from Wednesday, May 30 until Sunday, June 3.

There is also a chance to meet the cast on Thursday, May 31 and a post show talk on Friday, June 1 as part of Little Words Festival special events.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly

Relive the delights of this charming tale complete with a feast of sing-a-long songs, colourful characters and heart warming fun. It's described as the perfect treat for anyone ages two to 102 and is at The Marlowe Studio on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2.

John Hegley: All Hail The Snail

Take on humorous journey through poems, songs and animal drawings with poet John Hegley. Enjoy the rhyme and rhythm of this mandolin-playing muse and his hilarious struggle with words, as they threaten to twist and turn out of his grasp.

Recommended for children seven and over, he is at The Marlowe Studio on Thursday, May 31.

A Necklace Of Raindrops

Enter a world of magic, mayhem and moonlit adventures! Storytelling, live music, shadow puppetry and magical moving paper scenery bring stories alive in this production suitable for children five and over.

It can be found at The Kit on Friday, June 1.

David Gibb: Climb That Tree

Take a musical journey through David’s imagination with Climb That Tree. It is a new live show and album from the songwriter and musician and takes you on a musical journey through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where bears live in the cupboard under the stairs, wolves are roaming the corridors at school, and trips to the moon are a regular occurrence.

Suitable for children three and over, David Gibb is at The Marlowe Studio on Sunday, June 3.

Hero And Her Paper Navy

Join Hero, an intrepid Elizabethan explorer, as she takes on a nautical adventure in search of new worlds, treasured words and long-lasting friendship.

Setting sail during the Little Words Festival with her navy of cardboard ships, she will navigate shipmates through the strait-streets of Canterbury, between the harbours of The Marlowe Foyer and The Kit. Sailors accompanying Hero will help to charter a fleet of ships with a quest to deliver special cargo to the final destination.

This interactive adventure for children and families is a voyage of discovery, created by Animate Arts Company who will charm you with their world of cardboard fun and immersive experiences.

Daily sailings are scheduled throughout the festival up until Sunday, June 3. Voyages are free but shipmates must book their passage via the Box Office.

Shipmates gather at The Marlowe Foyer or The Kit harbours and need to be prepared to walk for the journey between the two sites which is approximately 300 metres.

Tales From The Dragonfly

Join Emily on a magical, musical storytelling adventure for all the family at The Kit.

Wander into the fairy tree, frolic in the jungle playing hide-and-seek with the animals and help a little duck to save the day. The selection of magical stories will be told by storyteller and singer Emily Hanna Grazebrook.

The event is suitable for all ages and is at The Kit on Saturday, June 2.

For ticket details, show times, further details and to make a booking for any show, workshop or performance during The Little Words festival click here.