Kids, Kelly Apter

The Mozart Question - Kids theatre

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

22 Jul 2008

Over the last couple of years, Fringe audiences have wept at his stories. Kelly Apter finds former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo continuing that tearful trend with a sad tale from World War II Michael Morpurgo is standing on a sun-drenched…

How the Giraffe Got its Neck - Tall Stories

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

22 Jul 2008

Choosing a Fringe show can be a pot luck affair. So it’s nice to know that year after year, Tall Stories can be relied upon to come up with the goods. The team behind The Gruffalo and The Snow Dragon are back with a new show that fuses physical…

Here comes the fun

17 Jul 2008

As the school holidays stretch out before us, Kelly Apter finds there’s no shortage of ways to get your hands dirty and learn something new this summer

GoMA Family Festival 2008

3 Jul 2008

FUN DAY Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, Sat 5 Jul Messing around with paint, glue and glitter is fun at any age, so why should kids have all the fun? Although aimed primarily at 3–12-year-olds, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Family Festival…

The Undersea World of Bubble McBea

19 Jun 2008

CHILDREN’S OPERA Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 20-Sun 22 Jun The words ‘children’ and ‘opera’ aren’t often found in the same sentence. But over the past few years, Scottish Opera has managed to make the artform not just accessible, but great fun.

Misterstourworm and the Kelpie’s Gift

5 Jun 2008

ORCHESTRAL CD Circular Music, Mon 9 Jun Back in 2003, Billy Boyd was a well kent face in Scottish theatre but the world had yet to know his name. At that point, composer Savourna Stevenson and writer Stuart Paterson secured Boyd’s services to narrate…

Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival

22 May 2008

For years, the Bank of Scotland Children’s International Theatre Festival was something of a tongue-twister. Getting the words in the right order was no mean feat – even for Festival director, Tony Reekie. ‘I always got Children’s and International…

The Song from the Sea

8 May 2008

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Platform, Glasgow, Wed 14 & Thu 15 May In these hectic times, rarely do you hear a child complain of having nothing to do. On the contrary, moments of calm are in short supply for most children. Tapping into this modern phenomenon…

The Emperor’s New Kilt

24 Apr 2008

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 24–Sat 26 Apr It’s hard to know who to praise most for this clever, funny and engaging show. There is not a single weak link to be found. The intelligent script blends humour, pathos and insightful…

The Emperor’s New Kilt

10 Apr 2008

CHILDREN’S THEATRE King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 12–Sat 19 Apr, then touring When Hans Christian Andersen first penned The Emperor’s New Clothes in 1837, he was issuing a veiled attack on the excesses of the Danish church. Many years later…

Heelie-go-Leerie

10 Apr 2008

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 11–Sun 13 Apr Clichéd though it sounds, kids often get more fun out of the box something comes in than the expensive product within. Imaginary play with cardboard tubes, dressing-up clothes and…

Edinburgh International Science Festival

27 Mar 2008

Since 1988, the Edinburgh International Science Festival has proved that the words ‘science’ and ‘fun’ are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, the Festival’s extensive programme of hands-on events has become a highlight in the interactive kiddie…

Puppet Animation Festival

27 Mar 2008

PUPPETRY Various venues across Scotland, until Sat 26 Apr Puppetry has come a long way since the days of Punch & Judy on the beach. And puppetry in Scotland has made some leaps of its own. Back in 1984, when the Puppet Animation Festival first came…

Peter & The Wolf

13 Mar 2008

DANCE & CLASSICAL MUSIC Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 26 & Thu 27 Mar To young ears, an orchestra can seem like a giant melting pot of sound. And picking out which instrument is playing when is a rather tricky affair. Which is why Sergei…

National Year of Reading

28 Feb 2008

Compared to a stick that transforms into a golf club, tennis racket or aeroplane control, the book seems a poor choice of entertainment. But when was the last time a Nintendo Wii helped a child overcome bullying, get through their parents’ divorce or…

Cabbages and Kings

28 Feb 2008

CHILDREN’S DANCE THEATRE Platform, Glasgow, Sat 8 Mar; Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Sat 22 Mar As a choreographer, Claire Pençak is fuelled by a wonderfully rich imagination. So rich, in fact, that sometimes there’s only one group of people to take…

Heelie-Go-Leerie

14 Feb 2008

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Wed 20–Sat 23 Feb, then touring When Virginia Radcliffe decided to write a show about play, she knew her imagination would only take her so far. That if she wanted to capture the fantastical worlds…

Wee Fairy Tales

31 Jan 2008

Do you know your bahookie from your elba? If not, it’s time to stop being so glaikit and brush up on your Scots. With this most colourful of languages set to join the school curriculum sometime soon, you could do worse than give the bairns a keek at TAG…

Celtic Connections

17 Jan 2008

KIDS’ WORKSHOPS Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 19 Jan (percussion) & Sat 26 Jan (singing) Given that most children derive pleasure from a) making lots of noise and b) hitting things, a drumming workshop for kids seems like a match made in…

Dance Base & Dance House

4 Jan 2008

DANCE CLASSES There was a time when dance classes meant scraped back buns, stern ballet teachers and splinters from the church hall floor. Not anymore. At the sleek studios of Edinburgh’s Dance Base, there’s not a loose plank in sight, and enjoyment…

Old Town Adventure Pack

13 Dec 2007

HISTORIC TRAIL With the Castle at one end and Holyrood Palace at the other, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is one of the most famous streets in the world. But although the entire Old Town is steeped in history, knowing what to look for inbetween those two…

Children’s Classic Concerts

29 Nov 2007

CLASSICAL CONCERT Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 1 Dec; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 16 Dec He’s more at home behind the shop counter in Still Game, but this Christmas Sanjeev Kohli is branching out. Instead of hanging out with old boys Jack and…

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

15 Nov 2007

AERIAL SHOW Opposite Ocean Terminal, Leith, Sat 24 Nov, 5pm The words ‘Christmas’ and ‘free’ rarely go hand in hand these days, but a one-off event in Leith is bucking the trend. ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas is a free outdoor family event…

Grub's Up

1 Nov 2007

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Platform, Glasgow, Sat 3 Nov; GilmorehillG12, Glasgow, Thu 8 Nov The smell of fried onions wafts through the air as a pot of tomato soup takes shape before our eyes. No, it’s not Ready, Steady, Cook, but the latest offering from…

Mischief

18 Oct 2007

DANCE-THEATRE SHOW Macrobert, Stirling, Thu 18–Sat 20 Oct Aimed at children aged 7+ and their families, Mischief is a busy mix of dance, puppetry, visual art, clowning, music and song. Oh, and foam – lots and lots of foam. Award-winning children’s…

Lazytown Live!

4 Oct 2007

From Jamie’s School Dinners to Honey, We’re Killing The Kids, there’s no shortage of advice on how to feed our children. But perhaps the most successful TV programme to combat rising levels of childhood obesity, is aimed at the kids themselves. Created…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth

9 Aug 2007

Louis Pearl (aka The Amazing Bubble Man) has made a career out of blowing bubbles. Big ones, small ones, coloured ones, square ones – if something’s got a hole in it, he’ll blow a bubble through it. Using an assortment of tools and toys – many of…

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

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…

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.

Claytime

1 Aug 2007

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

Does a Monster Live Next Door?

1 Aug 2007

Hitlist - The best kids

1 Aug 2007

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.

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 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.

Scooby Doo Live on Stage!

18 Jun 2007

STAGE SHOW There are some lines which transcend generations, and ‘I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids!’ is certainly one of them. First screened in 1969, Scooby Doo has had an enduring popularity few can emulate.

Scottish Outdoor Access Festival

Nationwide, Sat 28 Apr - Mon 7 May

23 Apr 2007

FESTIVAL Launched in 2005, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code encourages people to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe and responsible fashion. To walk through fields without damaging crops, picnic without leaving litter, and making sure your dog…

Farmer Jason

St Serf’s, Edinburgh, Sun 15 Apr

9 Apr 2007

CHILDREN’S MUSIC With their infectious rhythms and catchy lyrics, Farmer Jason’s songs have a wide appeal. But even he was surprised by the interest his CDs generated. As the Farmer’s alter ego, Jason Ringenberg, explains. ‘It seems adults are into…

Tracy Beaker

Tracy Beaker Gets Real

26 Mar 2007

MUSICAL THEATRE She’s rude, inconsiderate, bolshy and the bane of many parents’ lives. Tracy Beaker may be a fictional creation, but her cheeky expressions - both facial and verbal - have been embraced by pre-pubescents across the…

Baby Balloon

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 6-Sat 10 Feb; North Edi

29 Jan 2007

TODDLER THEATRE Parents sneaking out the door with a crying baby is a familiar sight at children’s theatre shows. Dragged along with an older sibling to a show too scary, confusing or just downright dull for tiny tots to endure, toddlers aren’t…

World Beneath my Feet

Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 19-Fri 26 Jan

15 Jan 2007

EXHIBITION Where we grow up, and the landscape that surrounds us, plays a big part in who we are. Putting that into words, however, isn’t always easy. Which is why Giant, the Glasgow-based art organisation, gave children another way to express…

Peter Pan

SECC, Glasgow, Wed 10-Sun 14 Jan; Royal Highland C

20 Dec 2006

ICE SHOW In his day, Robin Cousins was the David Beckham of ice skating. A national hero whose leaps and twists inspired thousands to head for the rink. These days, Cousins looks more at home behind the judging desk on Dancing On Ice. But that’s only…

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

In with a bang

13 Dec 2006

It will come as no surprise to learn that for director, Adrian Noble the starting point for this stage musical was the film. The original Chitty got so much right, it’s hard to imagine anyone changing it for the better. The film had it all - love…

Green Whale

Green Whale

13 Dec 2006

The pitch Three Edinburgh children stow away on the ‘Big Betty’ whaling ship, hoping to raise money for their poor family. Onboard they meet Nin the merciless hunter, Crill the eccentric captain, Isabella the former Queen of Spain and a mysterious girl…

Tales of Beatrix Potter - DVD review

Tales of Beatrix Potter

11 Dec 2006

DANCE Dance on screen rarely captures even half the magic of seeing it live on stage. Which is why this adaptation by the Royal Ballet is so successful - it doesn’t even try. Instead the action takes place in a variety of locations, from the green…

Snowman, The

The Snowman

7 Dec 2006

KIDS THEATRE The EastEnders Christmas special might be a ratings winner, but for most of us The Snowman is the real symbol of festive TV. Raymond Briggs’ tale of the little boy who wakes at midnight to find his snowman has come alive, has an old…

Green Whale

Traverse Theatre, Thu 7-Sun 24 December

27 Nov 2006

KIDS THEATRE Panto season may be amongst us, but one woman is making sure there’s a viable alternative in at least two of our theatres. Virginia Radcliffe and her Lickityspit theatre company will be taking up residence at the Byre Theatre, St Andrews…

Olga the Brolga

North Edinburgh Arts Centre, until 16 December

27 Nov 2006

KIDS DANCE Andy Howitt couldn’t believe his luck when he read Rod Clements’ storybook, Olga The Brolga. Not only did it give the artistic director of YDance a cracking story to adapt, but one of the characters goes to ‘Club Tropicana’. Cue George…

Olga the Brolga

North Edinburgh Arts Centre, until 16 December

27 Nov 2006

KIDS DANCE Andy Howitt couldn’t believe his luck when he read Rod Clements’ storybook, Olga The Brolga. Not only did it give the artistic director of YDance a cracking story to adapt, but one of the characters goes to ‘Club Tropicana’. Cue George…

Antiques Roadshow - The Next Generation

Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Sun 12 Nov

27 Oct 2006

TV SHOW Dig out your Star Wars figures, limited edition Barbies and Steiff Bears - the Antiques Roadshow is coming to town. Aimed at collectors and antique enthusiasts under 18, the Next Generation show is a special junior version of the popular BBC…

Children's Classical Concerts

Children's Classical Concerts</h3>

17 Oct 2006

CLASSICAL MUSIC Whether it’s the latest picture book by Julia Donaldson or a juicy storyline in EastEnders, we all love a good yarn. Young or old, a well-told narrative always hits the spot, but there are as many ways of delivering a story as there…

Jason and the Argonauts

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 12-14 Oct then tourin

2 Oct 2006

THEATRE SHOW Harpies, fire-breathing bulls, dragons - Jason and the Argonauts has no shortage of combative characters. Add to that Jason, his family, Medea and over 50 Argonauts and you’ll understand the difficulties facing Visible Fictions…

Harry Hill

Horsing around

28 Sep 2006

Ricky Gervais, Charlie Higson, Nigel Planer: many a British comedian has deviated into the world of children’s literature. Yet none of them seemed quite so born to it as Harry Hill. The question wasn’t so much if the man who created the ‘Badger Parade…

Fireman Sam - To the Rescue!

Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 8-Sun 10 Sep

1 Sep 2006

Fireman Sam - To the Rescue! at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre