Nearly all nine to 13-year-olds will have been in a play. They can find out what it’s like for professionals in Sneak a Peek, a sprightly booklet from Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. It’s soon evident that mounting a production involves more work behind the scenes than up front. We learn about the tasks of the props, wardrobe, sound, technical and other departments. We also learn these tasks must be performed in a rational order, but that magic and illusion emerge from the logic. Sneak a Peek costs pound;3 from The Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH.

Tel: 0161 615 6721. www.royalexchange.org.