The Cat that Slept for a Thousand Years
The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years is a brand-new large-scale installation from Air Giants at Manchester Museum
Select date and time
Location
Manchester Museum
Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
Step into a fantastical world inhabited by a huge, snoozing cosmic cat at Manchester Museum this summer.
We don’t know where the cat came from, we don’t know why the cat came here, but we do know this will be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Created in collaboration with creative robotics studio Air Giants, The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years, is a world-first exhibition that blends artistic imagination and family fun.
Blurring the lines between museum, theatre and dreamscape, it invites visitors to wander among intriguing environments and discover intriguing objects from Manchester Museum’s collections. Inspired by humanity’s age-old fascination with cats, the exhibition gently encourages reflection on care, empathy and the connections we form, even with life forms beyond our usual understanding.
At the centre of it all is a 10-metre-long inflatable, robotic cat, peacefully dozing and happily dreaming. You’re all invited to spend time in its company, get to know it better, give it a stroke and a cuddle or just peacefully sit and watch.
Please book tickets for everyone in your party, including little ones! This helps us manage the capacity of the space and ensures everyone can enjoy the experience.
We have Quiet Time tickets available on Saturday mornings from 8am-10am. Please feel welcome to attend if you would like a quieter and disability friendly slot to meet the cat with sensory items available. The remaining galleries open at 10am.
Entry to the exhibition is free so that as many people can enjoy it as possible. Manchester Museum is a charity and all donations go directly towards our work, donating just £5 when booking your tickets could help to create even more of the experiences you love.
Frequently asked questions
Between 8am and 10am on Saturday is our Sensory Time. The other galleries will open at 10am. Ticket numbers are halved. During this time we will have sensory toys out to use. Please feel welcome to attend if you would like a quieter and disability friendly slot to meet the cat.
Don’t worry! You will be able to use your ticket any time during the time slot you've booked. If you will be later than this just explain to a member of staff at reception when you arrive and we will do everything we can for you to gain entry.
We are anticipating this will be a very busy exhibition, ticketing allows us to ensure your safety and enjoyment of the exhibition and lets us know how many people are visiting.
Visitors exiting the exhibitionfor a short period, e.g. to use our toilet facilities, will not need to queue to re-enter the exhibition, however for the safety and enjoyment of all visitors if you wish to revisit the exhibition later you will need to book again
No, this is the only exhibition that you need tickets for.
Absolutely!
Anybody and everybody is welcome, it is a great experience for all ages!
Yes, there is step-free access in all of our galleries. We have a lift in our Main Hall that will take you to the rest of our galleries.
Yes, although there is a short film that may contain flashing images. If visitors have photosensitivity please speak to one of our members of staff.
Last entry is 4:30pm every day except Wednesday when it is 8:30pm
Details about how to get here can be found on our website, including alternative modes of transportation https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/visit-us/
The lighting will be low, if you need assistance navigating the exhibition please speak to a member of staff. There will be noise from fans to keep the cat inflated and an accompanying soundscape, just speak to a member of staff if you require ear defenders. We have quiet hours 8-10am on Saturdays.