Kids

Alice in Wonderland

Fast-paced adaptation goes full throttle

This entertaining version of Lewis Carroll’s classic is an inventive blend of physical theatre, music, puppetry and pantomime. The three young Derby-based performers who juggle all the roles between them establish a strong and immediate rapport with…

Andrew Clover’s Almost Famous Story Show

Free range storytelling

Nobody could ever accuse Andrew Clover of phoning his show in. The smart-suited comedian gives everything he’s got during this hour of high energy, low structure entertainment. He’s the kind of man you would have killed for as an uncle when you were…

Greek Myths For Kids by the new Backhand Theatre

A bit too few tales of Kings, Heroes and Monsters

This is the debut show from the newly-formed Backhand Theatre company, and to a certain extent, it shows. There’s nothing new or overly exciting here, and the performances are solid rather than outstanding. That said, the company shows promise, and…

Penguin

Puppetry and song for young ‘uns

Opening a bright, shiny package, little boy Ben discovers a penguin inside. But joy quickly turns to disappointment when the flightless fellow refuses to speak. Various attempts at persuasion are made, including a trip to the doctors, to no avail, until…

Hairy Maclary and Friends

Canine capers

This is old-school children’s theatre in all the right ways. Based on Lynley Dodd’s hugely popular picture books, the show ticks all the kiddie boxes: audience participation that’s fun, but not humiliating; lively songs; a few ‘it’s behind you’ moments…

Hi Fives for Diversity

Celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity

It’s the kids’ last chance to take part in Our Dynamic Earth’s International Year of Biodiversity celebrations this week, with activities all over the centre. High five the Community Tree, learn about how Arctic animals have adapted to their harsh…

Jeremy Lion

Soused kids entertainer goes green

Ruddy-faced Jeremy Lion uses the fertile format of the children’s educational play to bind an alcoholic slapstick to lyrical ditties detailing the dangers of global warming. It’s a finely tailored package of physical, musical and cynical gags that’s at…

Don't Run with Scissors

A Betrayal of Penguins can't quite regain of glory of 2009

Like most glorious debut ventures, the ‘difficult second album’ syndrome is a tough nut to batter. And try as they might, A Betrayal of Penguins just can’t quite regain the glory of 2009 in their new show, Don’t Run with Scissors. Some might point to a…

Jungle Book: The Next Chapter

Monkeying around with Kipling’s classic

Rudyard Kipling’s fables are part of the collective national psyche, so this follow-up from Glenn Elston and the Australian Shakespeare Company has a lot to live up to. The story picks up when Mowgli, now grown, returns to the jungle to visit Baloo.

Foolish Notion - Oor Rabbie

Funny, Accessible, and highly recommended homage to Robert Burrns

Edinburgh isn’t the only place to see great children’s theatre at the moment. The very wonderful Foolish Notion (superb musician Wendy Weatherby and one half of Wee Stories, Andy Cannon) are legging it out of town after performing their Fringe show Wee…

Just Macbeth!

Slick, accessible and boisterous adaptation of classic tragedy

There are plenty of reasons why Macbeth is not suitable for kids: there’s the cold-blooded murder, the unmitigated violence, not to mention the difficult language. Australian company Bell Shakespeare, however, are experts in these things, and what they…

Stick Man brings Julia Donaldson's children's book to life

Lively adaptation hits the spot

Julia Donaldson’s 2008 picture book, Stick Man isn’t the longest tale in the world, so anyone looking to adapt it would have to cast around for some pretty extensive padding. Leave it to the formidable Scamp Theatre to do just that. Performed by…

The Last Miner uses puppetry to profound effect

Moving, melancholic puppet show

This inventive show, developed by Tortoise in a Nutshell in association with Catherine Wheels, is short on action, features little dialogue and takes place on the tiny stage of the Hill Street studio theatre. But the tale of an elderly miner, living…

Farm Boy

Country tale in need of a jump start

Two men, Grandpa and Grandson, share the stage with a green Fordson tractor and a toolbox. The men weave stories that link four generations, covering the period in farming history where tractors took over from horses, and culminate in a hare versus…

Children's show Twinkle Twonkle combines educational with entertaining

Adventure in the sky at night

Imparting information in a show, without turning your stage into a classroom, is no mean feat. Given the enormous amount of facts and figures we learn during Twinkle Twonkle, it really is astounding that this doesn’t feel ‘educational’ – just…

The Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business

Making a song and dance about poo

This perennial favourite from Kipper Tie Theatre never loses its spark, thanks to a constant supply of young audiences, and a fresh crop of actors to deliver it. Based on Werner Holzwarth’s popular picture book, the story opens with a hit and run…

The Emperor's Quest: Chinese folk tale with modern flavour

A balance of catchy songs, snappy dialogue and a satisfying moral

The ageing Emperor is searching for a successor, and to help him decide he gives each child in his realm a seed to nurture. We follow green-fingered Ling and her pals, streetwise Soo and fretful Bobo, in their quest to grow the winning flower. Based on…

Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play

TV siblings take the the stage: utterly charming and engaging

When you’re taking a product as insanely successful as Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola series and attempting to do something new, it can be a risky business. Both the books and the TV programmes have garnered millions of fans, some of whom sat…

The Songbird

Giant Productions's sound poetry at the Botanic Gardens

Glasgow’s Giant Productions makes its Fringe debut with this interactive tone poem about an exotic songbird captured by a ruthless logger. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Botanic Gardens, and performed by a pianist, cellist and two actors, the…

Jeremy Lion answers questions from kids

The children's entertainer answers the questions that popped into our mailbox

Bumbling children’s entertainer Jeremy Lion has taken time out from being near-permanently soused to explore some pressing environmental issues in his new show. He’s still got time for the kids, however, and was more than happy to answer the questions…

Magician Paul Nathan on the magic of sharing laughter with your children

Man behind The I Hate Children Children’s Show

5 reasons people should come and see your show. The show is hilarious for kids and adults; everyone learns how to do a trick and there are tricks and videos available after the show; we have an arrangement with Dr Ana Aguirregabiria, one of…

James Robertson - And the Land Lay Still

One of Scotland's most vital authors tackles our Q&A

James Robertson has been long-listed for the Man Booker Prize of 2006 for The Testament of Gideon Mack and has just published And The Land Lay Still.

5 questions: Kids show Tall Storrie and Wee Godley

Mother and daughter duo Ashley Storrie and Janey Godley

Glasgow comedy queen Janey Godley has pushed all her blue material aside to team up with daughter Ashley Storrie for their kids show Tall Storrie & Wee Godley. She tells us why we should go along. Give five reasons why people should come and see…

Tall Stories' Twinkle Twonkle secretly teaching kids

Mixing nursery rhymes and adventure with astronomy and science

Known for their respectful and highly entertaining adaptations of popular picture books The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, sometimes Tall Stories just like to do their own thing. And, as shows like The Snow Dragon and Them with Tails demonstrated…

Stick Man Live on Stage

Based on the hugely successful children’s book by Julia Donaldson, Stick Man is the story of a loveable anti-hero who lives in the family tree ‘with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three’. But when a dog whisks an unsuspecting Stick Man…