MAGIC WORLDS
Enter a world of enchantment and illusion at World Museum
More images available on request
World Museum invites visitors to enter a world of enchantment, illusion and fantasy this autumn, with the opening of a new family friendly exhibition.
Magic Worlds is a free exhibition opening on Friday 18 October 2013 until Sunday 2 March 2014 in Liverpool, exploring ethereal realms of fairies, folklore, wizards and witches.
Visitors can imagine themselves sipping tea at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, stumbling through the wardrobe into Narnia or casting a spell from a cauldron bubbling with frogs’ legs.
More than 150 objects are on display in the exhibition, including Harry Potter’s broomstick, Sooty and his wand, the Cottingley fairy photographs, a stage suit worn by the popular magician Harold Taylor and examples of Fairyland Lustre Wedgwood ceramics from the 20s and 30s. There is the chance to see mandrake root and a narwhal tusk. Throughout history, people believed the tusks were the horn of the fabled unicorn.
There are audio visual and interactive elements to captivate and engage all visitors, and the chance for little ones to dress up as witches, wizards, magicians, elves and characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Alice in Wonderland.
At the Storytelling Tent, visitors of all ages can pause for a moment and enjoy listening to audio of the timeless tales of Cinderella, Snow White, The Little Mermaid and Alice in Wonderland.
Director of World Museum, Steve Judd, said: “We are thrilled that Magic Worlds is coming to World Museum. It’s a brilliant exhibition that will amaze and entertain. It’s the perfect place to bring the kids to over half term and the Christmas holidays, and best of all, it’s free!”
Throughout the exhibition run there is a programme of free, family friendly events, including fascinating magic workshops with the Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle. There will be an opportunity to purchase vintage style games and tricks at World Museum’s shop.
Magic Worlds is a touring exhibition, organised by V&A Museum of Childhood,London.
For more details on the exhibition go to: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/magic
Notes to editors
About National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attract more than 3 million visitors every year. Our venues are the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
World Museum
From the sea to the stars, a visit to World Museum reveals millions of years of the Earth’s history through thousands of exhibits and hands on activities. Find out how humans have created the world we inhabit, from Africa to the Americas, Asia and Europe. Look out for the Ancient Egypt gallery where our collection is amongst the finest in Europe, bringing this age old civilisation to life. Discover the wonders of the natural world in the Clore Natural History Centre, packed full of mounted and preserved specimens of all types of animals, as well as rocks, minerals, fossils and plants. The Aquarium is home to fish from Australia to Anglesey, while an array of creepy crawlies live in the Bug House. Then, blast off on a spectacular journey through space and time as the universe unfolds around you in the Planetarium.
World Museum was a winner of Netmums favourite place to go in Merseyside 2011 and was short listed for the Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award in 2012.
