Mars at the Museum

Luke Jerram’s mesmerising installation Mars is coming to Norton Priory Museum and Gardens in Runcorn, Cheshire for 6 weeks from 28th January 2025 to 9th March 2025.

Following the incredible success of ‘Museum of the Moon’ in October 2021 and ‘Gaia’ in January 2024, Mars will complete the trilogy of Luke Jerram’s out-of-this world installations in Norton Priory’s impressive atrium.  Visitors will be able to view the installation from a variety of different angles, including from the mezzanine level, makes for a more intimate and personal viewing experience. 

Mars is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, measuring 6 metres in diameter and featuring detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface.

During the 6-week installation, opening times will allow after dark viewings of the artwork at the museum.  The museum will be open between noon and 7:00pm for the duration of Mars’ time at Norton Priory. 

During the February 2025 half term (15th-23rd February), opening times will be expanded to cover 10:00am – 7:00pm.  To book these tickets, please visit the Art Tickets website. Please note: 5-7pm on Thursday 20th February will be our "Relaxed Mars" autism friendly evening. More details here.

A carefully curated events programme will accompany Mars, including concerts, readings, storytelling, talks, meditation and mindful sessions, and a special Martian theme for February half-term activities.  

It's a perfect opportunity to step outside the everyday and experience the red planet in a truly unique setting.  Explore the magic of Mars at the museum, with free child entry for standard museum visits (charges for children will apply for special events).

Image: Mars photo by Luke Jerram

Join us on an intergalactic bath time voyage with this workshop from Lush cosmetics!

A member of staff from Lush will guide you through each step to make your own Intergalactic bath bomb! Coloured in gorgeous pink, yellow and cobalt blue, and filled with scents of peppermint and grapefruit, this is one of their bestsellers. Enjoy making your own at this special event at Norton Priory!

There are two sessions available, one open to children and families and one for ages 17 and up for anyone wanting a grown-up treat! Ticket prices also include general admission to Norton Priory Museum & Gardens on the day, including viewing of Luke Jerram’s Mars installation in the museum.

Session times:

• 12:00 – open to ages 5 and up

• 2.30 – ages 17 and up only!

Please note: “supervising adult” tickets are for adults accompanying a child and are charged at general admission prices and can be found under children's tickets on the booking screen. They will not make their own bath bomb. Maximum one supervising adult ticket per child.

Suitable for ages 5+ only.

Luke Jerram’s mesmerising installation Mars is coming to Norton Priory Museum and Gardens in Runcorn, Cheshire for 6 weeks from 28th January 2025 to 9th March 2025.

Following the incredible success of ‘Museum of the Moon’ in October 2021 and ‘Gaia’ in January 2024, Mars will complete the trilogy of Luke Jerram’s out-of-this world installations in Norton Priory’s impressive atrium.  Mars is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, measuring 6 metres in diameter and featuring detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface.

During the 6-week installation, opening times will allow after dark viewings of the artwork at the museum.  These special ‘Night at the Museum’ tickets, allow visits between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on selected evenings.

A carefully curated events programme will accompany Mars, including concerts, readings, storytelling, talks, meditation and mindful sessions, and a special Martian theme for February half-term activities.

It's a perfect opportunity to step outside the everyday and experience the red planet in a truly unique setting.  Explore the magic of Mars at the museum, with free child entry for standard museum visits (charges for children will apply for special events).

 Please note: 5-7pm on Thursday 20th February will be our "Relaxed Mars" autism friendly evening. More details here.

Image: Mars photo by Luke Jerram

This exciting evening talk is delivered by Professor Sanjeev Gupta, from Imperial College London.  Professor Gupta is a science team member on NASA's Perseverance rover and Curiosity rover missions.  His work in the last decade has focused on exploring the geology of Mars.

We send robots to Mars in general to search for evidence for extraterrestrial life, in particular ancient life. Sedimentary rocks are the ‘go to’ archives for this search. What was the Martian landscape like early in Mars’ history – deep time Mars - at a time when life is thought to have got going on Earth?  Were ancient environments on Mars suitable for life to have formed, flourished and its evidence preserved in the rock record? 

On February 18 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed at Jezero crater on Mars in a nail-biting landing sequence. The mission represents the most complex, capable rover ever sent to Mars. It is also the first step in a multi-stage campaign to return surface samples back to Earth in order to seek signs of ancient life on the red planet. 

In this talk professor Gupta will discuss the adventures of the rover in its geological exploration of Jezero crater. 

Tickets are priced at £12 adults (£11 members), and £6 children (£5 members).  

Life on Mars: In Concert

Blending live performances by established artists and talented performing arts young people from A Place For Us Theatre in a spectacular concert in front of the stunning Mars installation at Norton Priory. Celebrating human creativity, curiosity and the drive to explore the unknown, through music by some of the best known artists and musicians to create an unforgettable tribute to the Red Planet.

Featuring iconic space-themed anthems such as ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Starlight’ and of course, the epic ‘Life on Mars’ by David Bowie.

Standard tickets are £20 for Adults, £16 for Children under 16. Premium tickets (rows 1-3) are available at £25 for adults and £18 for children. Members tickets are available.

Running time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes with a 20 minute interval. The performance starts at 7:30pm, doors open at 7:00pm to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase before the performance and during the interval.

This event has been selected by Norton Priory's artistic directors as part of the Mars programming. Luke Jerram's stunning 6m 'Mars' installation will form the backdrop for this spectacular show.

Help create a special Space Garden for Mars inspired by the CBBC programme The Clangers. Visitors of all ages will be able to take part in some drop-in workshops to help add to the Mars space garden. Add your kind thought to our Kindness Tree, make large scale space flowers, create planet style pom poms to hang in the space garden or take home. Help Tiny Clanger create paper notes inspired by the Clangers Music Tree to hang on the large tree cut outs or create a smaller version to take home.

You will also be able to follow the Clangers trail as Tiny Clanger investigates interesting objects around the museum.

• Sun 2 Feb – create large scale space flowers and pebble paper shapes

• Sun 9th Feb – create planet style pom-poms

• Sun 23rd Feb – create paper notes to hang on the Music Tree

This event is part of Discover Sundays 2025 so will be included with general admission to Norton Priory Museum and Gardens and children go free at Norton Priory! With every adult general admission ticket, up to 3 children can visit our site for free! Additional children will need an admission ticket.

Popular storyteller Rogan Mills leads these two captivating story sessions, bringing an exciting mix of space themed tales to Norton Priory. 

Visitors will be able to view Luke Jerram’s ‘Mars’ as the spectacular backdrop to this event, while Rogan’s stories transport you to far and distant galaxies, to visit strange planets and meet alien life. 

This event is part of Discover Sundays 2025 so will be included with general admission to Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. Timings are from 12.30pm till 3.30pm. The tales are aimed at families and children of all ages. Children go free at Norton Priory! With every adult general admission ticket, up to 3 children can visit our site for free! Additional children will need an admission ticket.

Popular storyteller Rogan Mills leads this captivating story session, bringing an exciting mix of space themed tales to Norton Priory.

Visitors will be able to view Luke Jerram’s ‘Mars’ as the spectacular backdrop to this event, while Rogan’s stories transport you to far and distant galaxies, to visit strange planets and meet alien life.

This event is aimed at families and children of all ages.

Join us in the stunning atrium of Norton Priory for a truly unique experience that brings the cosmos to life. Dances of the Planets invites you into a journey inspired by the orbits and energies of our closest celestial neighbours, Mars and Venus.

Under the awe-inspiring installation of Luke Jerram’s Mars in the atrium, we’ll move through a cycle of circle dances and guided meditations. The first half will reflect strength and bold energy of Mars, and in the second half, we will connect with the harmonious peace of Venus.

Cindy and Adrian of Myrriadd dance are well known and well-loved dance teachers who offer a wide range of traditional dances from many cultures and modern choreographies. They combine clear teaching styles with a sense of humour, and have a special ability to create a more reflective vision of the energy of the movements. Many of you will have enjoyed their clear instructions and inclusive dances at Summer and Winter events at Norton Priory.

Mima Cornish is Norton Priory’s resident meditation leader, and mystic. She creates connections through art, mindfulness, nature and healing.

Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of connection, rhythm, and cosmic inspiration! Suitable for all abilities

 Please note this event is suitable for people 16 years old and above.

Mars photo (c) White Night Riga

The Band and Drums of Cheshire Constabulary will be hosting an out-of-this-world brass band concert under the Red Planet.

Join us for a delightful evening as we welcome the Band and Drums of Cheshire Constabulary back for a special space themed musical extravaganza. The talented band will be performing a lively selection of space themed music under the red glow of Mars.

An opportunity to be part of a truly unique and bespoke experience in the presence of Luke Jerram's Mars.

The talents of storyteller Gav Cross and mindful practitioner Mima Cornish from HedgeRose Healing come together in a fusion of planetary myths, wonderment and immersive tranquillity.

Let us come together and journey across time and space via our senses and imagination.  The warm, rich tones of storyteller Gav Cross will inspire and illuminate, while carefully considered meditation from Mima Cornish will allow us to be transported beyond the stars. 

Offering a truly immersive experience of theatre, storytelling and meditation, this promises to be a very special one-off inspirational and energising experience, all unfolding in the presence of Mars.

This event is presented by Norton Priory’s artistic directors, A Place for Us Theatre as part of ‘Mars at the Museum’.

Please note: This is an adult only event and is not suitable for children.  All attendees must be 16 or older. 

In this lecture, Dr Marina Escolano-Poveda will explore how the Egyptians conceptualised the planets, particularly Mars.

The ancient Egyptians were fascinated with the heavens since the beginning of their history. They tracked the risings and settings of the stars, they reckoned time according to the cycles of the Sun and the Moon, and they identified the planets as entities that moved differently from other celestial bodies. In this lecture, we will explore how the Egyptians conceptualised the planets, and will focus in particular on the planet Mars in its different manifestations from the ceilings of tombs and temples of the New Kingdom to the astronomical tables and horoscopes of the Graeco-Roman period.

Dr Marina Escolano-Poveda is a Senior Lecturer in Classics/Ancient History and Egyptology at the Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology of the University of Liverpool. Her research focuses on the literature, religion, philosophy, and society of Graeco-Roman Egypt. She currently works on the analysis of Graeco-Egyptian astronomical/astrological and early alchemical sources, as well as the Greek Hermetica from an Egyptological perspective.

Photo Ahmed Amin, copyright MoTA

Resonance of Mars: Sound Healing Gong Bath - Led by Anna Newman of Expansion Breath & Sound

This gong bath is designed to send you into a deeply relaxed state, where our dominant brain waves change to the slower frequencies of Alpha or Theta, which can induce an altered state of consciousness. You may find that you have a visual, physical or emotional journey during the sound bath and this is completely normal, as the lower brain frequencies create a dream like state. We regularly fluctuate between different brain frequencies throughout the day, which is important for our health and wellbeing, so this is a very normal but slightly more prolonged version of our relaxation mode.

You will need to bring a mat to lie on (chairs can be provided if lying down isn’t possible for you), a warm blanket and a pillow. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water with you. Please see below a list of things to be aware of before booking this Gong Bath Experience.

Anna is a hugely passionate sound therapist, professional musician and Transformational Breath® facilitator. Through her work as a classical musician and breathwork facilitator, where music is a crucial part of the journey, Anna has always been struck by the way people react to different styles and sounds of music, and has always used music herself to soothe, to galvanise, and to release emotions, which led her down the path of becoming a sound therapist.

Tickets are £20 for Adults (£18 per person for members of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens.),

Running time: Approximately 1 hour with no interval. The Gong Bath starts at 7:30pm, doors open at 7pm to allow you to get comfortable in the space before the session starts.

This event has been selected by Norton Priory's artistic directors as part of the Mars programming. Luke Jerram's stunning 6m Mars installation will form the backdrop for this relaxing event.

The gong bath may not be suitable for the following:

• Women in first trimester of pregnancy

• Anyone with a severe mental health diagnosis, such as Schizophrenia, Dis-associative disorder, psychosis etc.

• Children under the age of 14 (all children over 14 to be accompanied by a responsible adult)

The War of the Worlds By H.G. Wells

Read and Performed by Gav Cross with original Soundtrack by Chris Bastock

Don’t miss the World Premiere of this extraordinary reimagining of The War of the Worlds, where past and future collide in a gripping, atmospheric production that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Step into the heart of one of the most iconic science fiction stories ever written, as The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is brought to life in a thrilling new abridged reading by Gav Cross. This 90-minute performed reading, in the style of a Victorian theatre experience, captures the terror and urgency of a world thrown into chaos by the might of a Martian invasion.

Accompanied by an original soundtrack by Chris Bastock, co-artistic director of A Place for Us, the production is underscored by a richly atmospheric soundscape that heightens the tension and drama at every turn. Bastock’s score, following his celebrated work on Macbeth at Shakespeare North and in the Woodland Theatre, amplifies the energy and suspense as humanity flees from the Martian invaders.

This production offers a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. Norton Priory, with its historic grounds, becomes an eerie and fitting stage for this science fiction tale, transporting audiences between the timeless elegance of Victorian storytelling and the terrifying unknown of a Martian invasion. The powerful visual and atmospheric drama of this setting promises an unforgettable evening of theatre.

Delivered as a rehearsed Victorian reading, Gav Cross’s performance pays homage to the storytelling traditions of the past, while immersing audiences in the high-stakes terror of Wells’ novel. With its focus on the suffering of innocents in the face of overwhelming technological might, this production captures themes of war, survival, and fear that remain just as relevant today as when the book was first published.

Gav Cross returns to Norton Priory following his sold-out performance of After Supper Ghost Stories. His distinctive Tony storytelling style, paired with Bastock’s dynamic soundtrack, guarantees a performance full of tension, energy, and immersive storytelling.

Premium seating is available in the front 3 rows with the best views of the stage and 'Mars'. Tickets from £20 for Adults (£18 per person for members of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens.), £16 for Children under 16. Suitable for age 12+ suggested

Running time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes with a 20 minute interval. The performance starts at 7:30pm, doors open at 7:00pm to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase before the performance and during the interval. The Artistic Directors of A Place for Us Theatre are proud to be hosting this amazing production with Norton Priory Museum & Gardens.

Nicola Mills accompanied by Maria King bring the Mars art installation to a stunning close with some well-known music from Mozart to the Beatles.

From Mozart and Puccini to The Beatles and Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Nicola Mills brings ‘opera for the people’ amongst other well- known favourites. Accompanied by Maria King, Nicola make a welcome return to Norton Priory to give us a spectacular closing event to the Mars art installation.

Car parking is free and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase before the performance and during the interval.

Luke Jerram's stunning 6m 'Mars' installation will form the backdrop for this wonderful closing show.

Running time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes with a 20 minute interval. The performance starts at 8.00pm, doors open at 7:30pm to allow patrons to take their unreserved seating.