DON’T be surprised to hear some strange animal noises emanating from the Eastgate Theatre this half-term holiday.

But fear not, there are no critters on the loose – it’s just the theatre’s transformation into the ‘Beastgate’ as part of this year’s safari-themed Imaginarium Festival (October 13-17).

A children’s arts festival like no other, this year’s Imaginarium invites toddlers to teens to enter an adventurous world of tipis, tents and caravans to make movies, hear exotic tales, encounter beasties large and small, track wildlife, make music, write songs, dance, perform and much more.

“With almost 40 events packed into the five days, the festival aims to offer something that appeals to every age and possible interest,” said festival co-ordinator Alex Emerson.

“From a song-writing workshop with The Jellyman’s Daughter to electric guitar rocking theatre for three-year olds, the festival will be a delight for all ages.”

The festival launches on Tuesday, October 13 with Creature Features – a three-day course that sees local filmmaker Tom Swift guide would-be David Attenboroughs and Steve Backshalls as they explore the natural world around them and then film their intrepid adventures.

Youngsters aged 10+ will be guided through the process of production, from storyboarding, filming and creating a soundtrack to the final edit, before showing a world premiere of the resulting five-minute movies at a special screening in the Eastgate on Saturday evening (October 17).

And Creature Features will not be the only production taking place during the week. In Monkey Business (age 8+), the team from Circus Alba will help performers create a music and dance extravaganza, while in Go Wild with Glee (10+), music mentor Aly Skidmore of InChorus and The Brambelles fame will join Alex Emerson in teaching all the song and dance moves needed for a riotous Glee performance at a special Glamping Gig on Saturday.

The week will also see some fantastic productions from various professional touring theatre companies. For little ones (3+), Tell Tale Hearts return with Suitcase Stories (Wed, October 14 ), the story of a well-travelled lady who, with a little help from the audience, creates landscapes and tales of mountains and jungles using whatever springs from her suitcase. Later in the week (Friday, October 16), it all gets a little rock and roll when Mr Tiger goes on a magical musical journey in Mr Tiger Goes Wild (dressing up in tiger suits actively encouraged!).

In the theatre courtyard, the delightful Pied Piper of Hamelin (Saturday, October17, 5+) invites children to step inside the cosy Little Fawn Caravan Theatre to hear the tale of the magical piper, told using beautiful shadow puppets and live music; while in a gorgeous production of The Jungle Book (Saturday, October 17, 6+), children can follow the journey of Mowgli the man cub as he grows up with his adopted wolf family in the tropical jungle of India.

And look out too for a host of free events in and around the theatre, from well-known Peebles faces reading favourite animal stories to sessions by musicians-in-residence The Jellyman’s Daughter, an animal treasure hunt in the café, dressing up boxes and colouring. Visitors might even bump into Jango Starr, who will be up to all sorts of clownish capers ahead of performing at a special family variety show on Friday evening (October 16).

“Even if just popping into the café, people will be in no doubt that there’s something special taking place at the Eastgate this October half-term,” says Alex Emerson. “We can’t wait for the adventure to begin.”

The Imaginarium runs from October 13–17 at the Eastgate Theatre. Tickets available from Box Office on 01721 725777, or online at www.eastgatearts.com