Kids, Issue 583

School of Comedy

16 Aug 2007

In this age of Asbos, hoodies and teenage gang warfare it’s probably illegal to encourage youngsters to swear and be rude in front of adults, but this is exactly what the grown-ups behind School of Comedy plan to do. The show is billed as ‘an adult…

The Elves and the Shoemaker

16 Aug 2007

When it comes to classic tales, The Elves and the Shoemaker is high up on most people’s lists. Just picturing those little elves beavering away, creating tiny shoes, is enough to excite little ones, and send big ones down memory lane. Well you don’t…

A History of Scotland (In 60 Minutes or Less)

16 Aug 2007

The avowed intention of this whizz through Scotland’s turbulent past is to bypass the usual cheesy tartan and shortbread stereotypes in favour of something altogether grittier. While this is a noble aim, the trio of performers initially struggle to get…

Bang On! - Junk Percussion Workshop

16 Aug 2007

Before you leave home to attend this workshop, take a good look around you. What have you got that’s broken, unwanted, and, most crucially of all, makes a good noise when you whack it, shake it or scrape it? Whatever it is, bring it along – because the…

Cat and No Mouse

16 Aug 2007

Dressed in bow ties and tails, a bossy cat and gullible mouse attempt to put on a show. Only trouble is, Cat is convinced she can go it alone as the star of the show – hence the title. Setting her ego aside for one minute, Cat agrees to perform the…

Hitlist - the best Festival events for kids

16 Aug 2007

Men of Steel Mad puppetry and messy food combine in this chaotic Australian show. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 27 Aug (not 20), 11am, £8–£9 (£7–£8). The Elves and the Shoemaker The most beautifully crafted puppets in town, from Fringe favourites…

James Campbell's Onomatopeia Society III & Spinistry of Moonerism

16 Aug 2007

James Campbell is, deservedly, at the forefront of the children’s comedy scene and his shows will always attract a loyal following, which makes the slight flatness of this year’s offering confusing. Alongside the popular Comedy Club 4 Kids, he’s written…

Little Howard and the Magic Pencil of Life and Death

5 Questions

16 Aug 2007

5 great things about being small? Being able to tie people’s shoelaces together under tables; tricking people into thinking you’re further away than you are; winning at limbo dancing; being able to lie on the floor and know what the world looks like…

Men of Steel

16 Aug 2007

There are three feisty cookie cutters on the prowl, storming around having adventures and getting up to mischief. They’re powered by a trio of talented young puppeteers, a creative bunch who’ve already found success with the piece in their native…

Talking Pants

16 Aug 2007

Ian Billings, the exuberant star of Talking Pants is a writer for Chucklevision. But don’t let this influence your decision about his one-man show – there are no visual gags involving ladders, although the well-meaning energy he exudes as he bounds…

The Big Filling: This Time it's Pie-Sonal

16 Aug 2007

It’s hard to know who enjoys this show more – kids, who help private detective, Johnny Pieman solve a dastardly crime, or adults who spend the whole hour spotting references to film noir classics. In a dark, atmospheric room, the tale of Pieman…

The Boy and the Dog Who Walked to the Moon

16 Aug 2007

This beautiful story follows the adventures of Tomas and his dog Don Alfonso as they travel to the moon, where Tomas hopes to find his mother. Along the way they encounter vibrant characters, such as the very grumpy eagle in the mountains, all depicted…

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

16 Aug 2007

With all of his books recently being re-published, the re-make of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a touring production of The Twits doing the rounds, Roald Dahl is more popular than ever. So it’s quite timely that York-based theatre company…

The Man Who Planted Trees

16 Aug 2007

First published in 1954, Jean Giono’s environmental tale centres on one man who transformed a barren area of the French Alps with trees. Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company take Giono’s tale and do a similar transformation, turning it into a…