Kids

Signed Harry Potter books raise thousands for charity

1 Oct 2007

A collection of Harry Potter books signed by JK Rowling has raised almost £20,000 for charity after an internet auction. Considered one of just a few complete signed sets in the world, the seven books were kept under lock and key in an Aberdeenshire…

Ricky Gervais and Harry Hill

20 Sep 2007

CHILDREN’S BOOKS Once upon a time, it was perfectly acceptable for an entertainer to devote their life to one career. These days, however, if you don’t learn to ice skate, cook or dash off a kids’ book in your spare time, you’re a veritable…

Dahl tops children’s author poll

13 Sep 2007

Roald Dahl has been named the most popular children’s author, with Harry Potter creator JK Rowling taking fourth place. The survey, which quizzed young adults aged between 16 and 34, named CS Lewis - author of The Chronicles of Narnia - second…

Hitlist - the best Festival events for kids

23 Aug 2007

Modern Cautionary Tales For Children Poetry, dark tales and lots of fun participation from the very wonderful Murray Lachlan Young. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 1633, until 27 Aug, noon, £6–£7 (£5–£6). Aesop’s Fables With the aid of three hugely…

The Selfish Crocodile

23 Aug 2007

Some kids shows get the puppets right, others throw out a few catchy songs, while some tell a good story. But Blunderbus Theatre Company does all three, perfectly aimed at their target age range of 3–7-year-olds. Based on Charles Terry’s popular…

Kids' events

23 Aug 2007

The last few days of the kids programme takes a walk on the dark side with scary-sounding events such as Night of the Living Horror (25 Aug, 6pm) which opens up a world of gothic terror for those aged ten plus, though Justin Somper and his Vampirates…

The Insect Circus

23 Aug 2007

While there are many other circus troupes who can climb higher and spin faster than this lot, none of them do it with six legs and antennae. During the course of 70 minutes, we’re introduced to acrobatic ants, a beautiful dying mayfly, a juggling dung…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

Monster Hits & Does a Monster Live Next Door?,

Kelly Apter

9 Aug 2007

To celebrate the company’s tenth anniversary, Tall Stories has brought two monster shows to Edinburgh – and they couldn’t be more different. Best known for their adaptation of The Gruffalo, Tall Stories has a reputation for creating innovative…

Aesop's Fables

9 Aug 2007

Many children’s shows profess to be ‘adult friendly’, but few deliver to the same degree as this hugely enjoyable new production. Written by former children’s laureate, Michael Morporgo, Aesop’s timeless fables have been fleshed out into sharp, witty…

Hitlist - the best kids' Festival shows

9 Aug 2007

Aesop’s Fables With the aid of three hugely talented performers, former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morporgo transforms Aesop’s morality tales into a fun five star show for both adults and children. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 27 Aug (not 13)…

Kids Events

9 Aug 2007

When you say ‘comic’ to a kid they might think of the Beano or Roy of the Rovers (if you’re a kid over 35) but the event with Alan Grant & Cam Kennedy will open up the eyes of teenagers and any young at heart adults in tow. Graphic novels are something…

Modern Cautionary Tales for Children

9 Aug 2007

From the moment Murray Lachlan Young bounds onto the stage, hair wrapped in a towel, dressing gown flapping, you know you’re in for a good time. Young is clearly one of the most likeable performers not just at the Fringe, but in the world. His poetry…

Potted Potter

Allan Radcliffe

9 Aug 2007

Judging by the feverish excitement rippling around the auditorium of Pleasance One, even the flimsiest association with the Harry Potter phenomenon can virtually guarantee a successful Fringe show. The task facing performers Dan and Jeff is to…

Little Bear

9 Aug 2007

Exploring is fun at any age, but for our eponymous hero there are a lot of firsts in his day. He discovers a tin barrel that not only makes great noises but can be used as boat. He meets some new friends along the way and learns that keeping his tummy…

Sword in the Stone

9 Aug 2007

Spotlites theatre company works its fingers to the bone in this adventurous interactive show. Just three actors play ten characters, each with an extensive costume change. But they’re not the only ones hard at work – Sword in the Stone keeps everyone…

Rainbow Fish & Under the Dragon Moon

9 Aug 2007

Theatre has travelled over from Singapore with the noble aim of telling simple stories with style. They set about this task in very different ways: Rainbow Fish uses black lights and beautiful puppetry, whereas Under the Dragon Moon is a collection of…

Claytime

9 Aug 2007

Ever since Play-Doh took over the pre-school world, few other materials get a look-in. Which is why it’s nice to see somebody championing good old clay. Placing a huge slab of clay centre stage, Steve and Sally, our friendly hosts, show us exactly what…

Whiff

9 Aug 2007

Kipper Tie theatre’s tale of how Whiff the big, fat, smelly baby warthog, surmounts his rather unfortunate body odour problem and propensity to attract ‘tickly quickly flies’, to finally find a firm friend, is told without fuss or frills. But the lack…

Silly Billy Bum Breath Strikes Back

9 Aug 2007

The bad girls of last year’s Fringe are back, and this time they’re even naughtier. As all those who saw Laura Black and Feri Tezcan’s 2006 show, Silly Billy Bum Breath will know, the eponymous hero is in fact invisible – well, to us anyway. Only Black…

The Burple Brothers

9 Aug 2007

What 5 words sum up the Burple Brothers’ style? Hilarious, Tuneful, Cheeky, Baked, Beans. Give 4 reasons why people should come and see your Fringe show Singing along with our songs stops it from raining. Giggling is guaranteed, and giggling is…

The Terrible Infants

9 Aug 2007

This collection of twisted morality tales for ages 9–14, are sumptuous testimony to Les Enfants Terribles’ collective methods. Yet artistic director, Oliver Lansley, as the trenchcoat-clad emcee still shines bright at its helm. Combining music…

All Aboard

9 Aug 2007

Take one classic 1970s kids album, a big bag of sweets and two over excited men and what do you get? All Aboard, a new show paying homage to songs such as ‘Two Little Boys’ by Rolf Harris and Benny Hill’s ‘Ernie’. Having bought the rights to the album…

It's playtime

Children's Clothing

1 Aug 2007

Ethical, stylish, alternative, interesting and educational? Kirstin Innes meets the designers behind the saintliest children’s clothing companies in the country

Kids are alright

1 Aug 2007

The new uniforms are hanging in the wardrobe, that fortnight away seems a distant memory, but there are still two weeks to go before the kids return to school. Even if you’ve exhausted all your bright ideas, there are plenty of activities for kids of…

Bang on!

1 Aug 2007

Saucepans and wooden spoons may form the backbone of the average kitchen, but for Katie Stephenson and Dave Smith, they’re musical instruments. For the past five years, the duo have been wowing the crowds on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with their unusual…

Hitlist - The best kids

1 Aug 2007

James Campbell’s Onomatopoeia Society III and Spinistry of Moonerism

1 Aug 2007

James Campbell is the guy that does stand-up comedy for kids, and has carved out a very nice niche for himself in entertaining the harshest critics on the planet.

Happily N'Ever After

1 Aug 2007

Although its makers claim they conceived Happily N’Ever After long before that big green ogre Shrek took over the box office swamp, animation filmmakers Paul J Bolger and Yvette Kaplan’s procrastinations mean that this contemporary take on olde fairy…

Claytime

1 Aug 2007

Watching a performer play with a fun prop can be a frustrating business for children.

Kidsamonium

1 Aug 2007

While jazz improv may not immediately spring to mind as ideal kids entertainment, Tom Bancroft, drummer and innovator behind the hugely successful children’s jazz orchestra, Kidsamonium, begs to differ.

The Green Meanie

1 Aug 2007

Environmental problems may be increasingly obvious to adults, but teaching children about the cause and effect of modern life can be tricky.

The Enchanted Castle

1 Aug 2007

Written by Edith Nesbit in 1907 – a year after her most famous book, The Railway Children – The Enchanted Castle never received the recognition it deserved.

The Big Filling: This Time It’s Pie-sonal

1 Aug 2007

Theatrical influences come from many sources, but it’s not often you find a kids show parodying 1950s film noir.

Cat and No Mouse

1 Aug 2007

As one half of children’s theatre company, Tall Stories, Toby Mitchell has had a considerable amount of Fringe success.

5 Questions - The Amazing Bubble Man

1 Aug 2007

Louis Pearl (aka The Amazing Bubble Man) explains why his Fringe show, The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth should float your boat

Hitlist - The best events, talk and sport

The best events, talk and sport

1 Aug 2007

Family Fun Day Take part in a ceilidh, highland dancing display and a whole host of fun activities. Miss Baxter’s Back to School Do it proper old school as you dress up and take a history lesson in an authentic Victorian classroom.

Does a Monster Live Next Door?

1 Aug 2007

Not the end of Potter, says Rowling

27 Jul 2007

JK Rowling has offered a glimmer of hope to Harry Potter fans downcast after the final boy wizard book was published last week, with plans to write more material. The Edinburgh-based author said a new encyclopedia would include more information about…