Kids

Something Wicked This Way Comes

2 Oct 2008

STAGE ADAPTATION With no budget to keep to, the human imagination can run wild in the best possible way. Which is why director Gill Robertson shied away from staging Something Wicked This Way Comes for so long. Ray Bradbury’s 1962 novel is filled…

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

2 Oct 2008

STAGE ADAPTATION Uninvited dinner guests can be a pain, especially when they arrive armed with a big appetite. But it’s unlikely any of the readers of The Tiger Who Came to Tea haven’t fantasised about just such an occurrence taking place in their…

Harry Hill - Tim the Tiny Horse at Large

18 Sep 2008

KIDS STORY You can virtually smell Harry Hill at his keyboard, big collar tickling his neck, tongue flicking in and out (‘hmm, hmm, yeah, hmm?’), eyes blinking maniacally as the ideas bristle through his cranium. There is a chance, of course, that he…

Mary Poppins

18 Sep 2008

MUSICAL In 1964, when Mary Poppins opened at the cinema, it immediately amassed an army of fans. One woman, however, was distinctly unimpressed by the all-singing, all-dancing Disney adaptation – the novel’s author, PL Travers. Thirty years later…

Finding Nemo on Ice

4 Sep 2008

Frozen water usually spells disaster for our aquatic friends, but the shoal of fish heading to Braehead Arena feel right at home on the ice. Featuring 38 competitive skaters, who have swapped medals for make-up, Finding Nemo On Ice mixes technical…

One Small Step

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

Check your oxygen, adjust your spacesuit and buckle up for the biggest mission of your life…. to the moon.

Best shows for kids

edfest.tv - video

22 Aug 2008

Hear about the fun at this year's Festival including a low down on The Animal Olympics, The Gruffalo, Potted Pirates and The Amazing Bubble Man.

Koko the Crocodile

A little touch of Africa

21 Aug 2008

Mara Menzies is fairly new to the storytelling game, but has taken to it like a duck to water. Or rather, like a crocodile to a riverbank – much like the wriggling, paw-waving one that appears in her charming new show. Based on Menzies’ recently…

Hitlist: Kids

21 Aug 2008

The Echo Chamber and We All Fall Down Two top notch shows from En Masse Theatre. Journey down into the dark, damp vaults beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town in The Echo Chamber or learn about the colourful characters in two plague-ridden villages in We All…

Kids events

Getting arty and yucky, all in the same week

21 Aug 2008

If you suffer from Crayola on the carpet and finger-painted furniture, The Big Picture Event (24 Aug) should be the destination of choice for your little ‘uns. Chairman and Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen leads an exquisite event of drawing and…

Russian Play

21 Aug 2008

These happy looking ladies are even jollier in the flesh. Journeying all the way from Russia, they deliver a joy-filled hour of song, dance and a whole lot of audience participation. Dressed in beautiful national costumes, the seven female performers…

The Terrible Infants

Edible dark fairytales

21 Aug 2008

There are no happy endings in this collection of delectably dark fairytales: cannibal boy Tumb eats his mum, the unloved Thingummyboy evaporates and fibber Tilly grows a tail that lengthens with every tall tale she delivers. Writer Oliver Lansley’s…

We All Fall Down

Playing with the Plague

14 Aug 2008

Who'd have thought the Black Death could be so much fun? Or that a tale with such a strong moral heart could be so full of laughs and silliness? The story of two 17th century villages both blighted with the plague, the show explores the selfish and…

5 Questions - Koko the Crocodile

14 Aug 2008

African folktales, sing-a-long songs and a poorly crocodile all feature in Mara Menzies' show, Koko the Crocodile. But right now, she's answering our five questions.

Andrew Clover's Crazy Kids' Show

Stand-up stories

14 Aug 2008

A successful stand-up comedian and novelist, Andrew Clover fuses both talents in his enjoyable new kids show. Essentially an hour of improvised storytelling, Clover draws heavily on the vivid imagination of his young audience. As such, the children are…

Farm Open Day

14 Aug 2008

Experience countryside life in the east end of Glasgow at the Tollcross Children’s farm. Open 7 days a week from 10am-3pm, the farm boasts a variety of farmyard animals to get up close and personal with, as well as a fun-filled day of music and games…

Festival kids' shows hitlist

14 Aug 2008

Potted Pirates, Visualise Reloaded, Cloudcuckooland, Three Billy Goats Gruff & Other Furry Tails, Heartbreak Soup, Painting Music Workshop

Finding Alice

Through the looking-glass and beyond

14 Aug 2008

There are four children's shows at the Fringe about Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, so fans of the fairytale have their pick. First-time playwright, Ben Harrison and Single Leaf productions present Finding Alice, an entertaining mix of live music…

Heartbreak Soup

Two little boys…

14 Aug 2008

Cuddy is lying on a hospital bed, waiting. For what, we don't know, but as the play unfolds a heartbreaking story emerges of a childhood led in slow motion, due to a congenital heart defect. Which all sounds very serious and tragic - and is, of course…

I Can't Sleep by David O'Doherty

No cure for insomnia

14 Aug 2008

Next time you find yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, desperately trying to think of ways to make yourself tired, try taking a few leaves out of David O'Doherty's self-help manual for insomniacs. Rule number one: counting sheep is just…

James Campbell's Shut Up Stupid

Scatalogical comedy with scenes of mild peril

14 Aug 2008

James Campbell's latest offering calls itself a 'black experimental comedy', and you'd be right for wondering if this is suitable for children. Much effort has gone into scripting the warped chronology and fourth-wall antics of the plot, but they're…

Kids Events

14 Aug 2008

When Miranda Richardson so memorably played the child-like Queen Elizabeth I in Blackadder, a career in entertaining kids seemed to be in the offing. With Horrid Henry (16 Aug) she appears to have finally grasped that opportunity by voicing the little…

No Place for Dreams

Don't wake the volcano

14 Aug 2008

Brief Candle Theatre makes its Fringe debut with No Place For Dreams, a show by Paul Whitfield that boasts a lot of energy, but is altogether too austere. On a volcanic island filled with Spray-Riders, Wind-Eaters and Fire and Soil people, we meet Loam…

Painting Music Workshop

The art of sound

14 Aug 2008

There are several enjoyable aspects to this imaginative workshop, but the best one is the gift that keeps on giving. In just 40 minutes, Rhuti Carr and her musical cohorts give you a new skill that will stay with you for life. Gathered around a giant…

Potted Pirates

Hilarity on the high seas

14 Aug 2008

Sensible pirate devotee Jeff just wants to give a serious, educational lecture about famous pirates. His crewmate Dan, while also a fellow fan of all things swashbuckling, has a different approach. An enthusiast of the Jack Sparrow variety of privateer…

School of Comedy

14 Aug 2008

The idea of a fourteen-year-old ingénue f-ing and blinding her way across a stage in her mother's trouser suit might send shivers down every conservative parent's spine, but School of Comedy are back. The comedy sketch troupe of 12 to 16-year-olds…

The Greatest Bubble Show on Earth

14 Aug 2008

As this young man will no doubt testify, there's nothing quite like standing inside a giant bubble. Experience this, and many other eye-popping shenanigans, when the Amazing Bubble Man dips his assortment of objects into washing up liquid and starts…

Visualise Reloaded

Technoclowns inspire again

14 Aug 2008

Following last year's Visualise show, Science Made Simple duo, Debbie Sirop and Gareth Smith illuminate young minds once again with Visualise: Reloaded, an entertaining blend of physical theatre and scientific exploration. Against a highly energetic…

The Mozart Question

edfest.tv - video

13 Aug 2008

Michael Morpurgo's extraordinary story takes us from Venice to the horrors of the Nazi gas chambers. A moving, inspirational tale for young and old.

Dr Bunhead's Crash Test Jelly Babies

edfest.tv - video

11 Aug 2008

Doctor Bunhead is back. Bigger, better, bangier than before! A 'pyrotechnic extravaganza'. (Daily Mail).

The Man Who Planted Trees

edfest.tv - video

11 Aug 2008

It is very, very rare to find something that appeals as effortlessly to children and adults as this magical show. (Scotsman).

The Echo Chamber

Underground antics

7 Aug 2008

Part history lesson, part scary story, this atmospheric show from En Masse Theatre is a great way to start your Fringe day. Descending down into the bowels of Edinburgh, you find yourself in one of the many caverns and passageways that run beneath the…

5 Questions - Leon Conrad

7 Aug 2008

5 things you think good children’s theatre should do: Make it magical – make it funny – make it witty – make it fun; and make it pretty difficult for people not to lose themselves in the story. 4 reasons why people should come to Aesop The Storyteller…

Animal Olympics

Astrological antics

7 Aug 2008

Quirky and educational, Animal Olympics explores how Chinese astrology began. Francesca Beard, known for her performance poetry, puts a lot of energy into portraying the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac as curious individuals. After slipping on her…

Clockheart Boy

Stylish, heart-rending tale

7 Aug 2008

There's an important piece missing from the Professor's puzzle: his daughter Sophie disappeared 28 years ago while out walking on the beach. Luckily, he's got an energetic bunch of eccentric pals living in his castle to help with the search and assist…

Dr Bunhead's Crash Test Jelly Babies

7 Aug 2008

On the one hand, Dr Bunhead appeals to the simple side in all of us – the part that likes loud bangs, balls of flame and anything that erupts. But there’s more to Bunhead than spectacle, and chances are you’ll walk away from this hour of science-related…

How The Giraffe Got Its Neck

Evolutionary tales

7 Aug 2008

Full of questions about the animal kingdom, two explorers set off on a journey down-river. Along the way, they impart stories about how the leopard got his spots, the elephant got his trunk and finally, how the giraffe ended up with such an elongated…

Let The Earth Breathe

Music with a message

7 Aug 2008

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, people are full of good intentions. But few of us follow through quite so impressively as the Kenodeke Arts Collective. Their new show, Let The Earth Breathe not only sends out a positive message about…

Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift

Myths, music and monsters

7 Aug 2008

If you were under the impression that the Scottish islands were formed by glaciers during the ice age, then think again. They're actually the humps and bumps of an ancient monster who curled his way around Scotland. Or at least that's what we're told in…

The Apple Tree Maiden

Delicious children's theatre

7 Aug 2008

Lilting music, flowing costumes and expressive choreography are the chief characteristics of The Apple Tree Maiden, a show that features no dialogue. Instead, the characters mime and dance their way through the action-packed show. Swirling music in the…

The Giant Percussion Picnic

7 Aug 2008

Prepare for two hours of noise and noshing, as Giant take over the lovely Hidden Gardens from 11.30am–1.30pm for their Percussion Picnic. The event is free but ticketed, with tickets given out on a first come first served basis on the day. Bring food to…

The Mozart Question

One man's moving memories

7 Aug 2008

Putting a target age range on a show's publicity material never guarantees who you'll find in the audience. But when the producers of The Mozart Question say suitable for ages 8+, you really ought to listen to them - because this is not a show for…

Three Billy Goats Gruff

Three is the magic number

7 Aug 2008

He's done it again. Andy Lawrence, storyteller and puppet-maker extraordinaire, has created another perfect kids show. Back at the Fringe for the third year running, following the success of The King's Got Donkey's Ears and The Elves and the Shoemaker…

Three Billy Goats Gruff

31 Jul 2008

This is the third year in a row that the very wonderful Theatre of Widdershins has played the Fringe – and, rather appropriately, they’re doing a show all about threes: the eponymous goats, plus a few other fairytale characters such as Goldilocks’ pals…

Clockheart Boy

Mechanical inventions explore life and death

31 Jul 2008

It may not seem the ideal topic to build a family show around, but grief regularly pops its head up in children’s film and theatre. As Nicola Cutcher, co-director of Clockheart Boy says, ‘even The Lion King is about death’. Cutcher and her company…

Cloudcuckooland

31 Jul 2008

When Greek comic playwright, Aristophanes wrote The Birds in 414 BC, he could scarcely have imagined where his masterpiece would end up. Although given his taste for humour and bad behaviour, chances are he would have loved Cloudcuckooland, a new…

Five questions - Tall Stories

31 Jul 2008

Armed with two shows – The Gruffalo and How the Giraffe Got Its Neck – Tall Stories return to conquer the Fringe once again Name 5 words to describe the Tall Stories style Physical, visual, musical, comical, universal. What 4 things should good…

Heartbreak Soup

31 Jul 2008

Spending time in hospital isn’t ideal at any age, but for children it’s even less appealing. It was while working with children undergoing heart and lung transplant surgery, that Laura Lindow became inspired to write Heartbreak Soup. ‘I’m not using…

Hitlist: Festival Kids

31 Jul 2008

The Mozart Question – Michael Morpurgo Not-to-be-missed stage adaptation of a story by one of the finest children’s writers of all time. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, 3–25 Aug (not 11), 12.15pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews until 2 Aug, £5. ] Three Billy…

James Campbell's Shut Up Stupid

Comic plays for kids of all ages

31 Jul 2008

James Campbell is envied and acclaimed across the comedy universe for carving out a triumphant career performing stand-up for kids. While his Comedy Club 4 Kids continues to train young folk from the ages of six upwards in the hard-nosed business of…