THEATRE PINOCCHIO
Lying puppet in safe hands 00.. Indefinite Articles‘ Pinocchio is certainly the gentlest version of the classic tale I've seen, having extracted such punitive elements as extending noses and naughty children transforming into braying donkeys. Given that most of the audience seemed perfectly happy for our puppet hero to accept nasty Stromboli’s offer
KIDS PREVIEW
3 CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
of four gold coins to buy
a skateboard, such moralising would doubtless have been wasted (these mercenary young folk. I ask you!)
Happily. performer/ narrator Steve Tiplady enjoys a warm rapport with his youthful congregation. and the imaginative use of simple props and lighting effects and a strikingly versatile set combine to create a delightfully engaging visual entertainment. (Allan Radcliffe)
I Gilded Balloon Teviot. 226 275 7, until 26 Aug. 71am, £6.50 (£5.50).
THEATRE AND SONG SOMETHING ELSE
Will you be my friend? 0...
Last year Tall Stories brought us their wonderful adaptation of The Gruffa/o: this year. they come offering an adaptation of Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell's Something Else. For those who don't know. it's the stOry of a funny little creature. Something Else. who doesn't have anyone and doesn't fit in — he's just something else. somewhere between
Heroes, villains, poets, story-tellers, illustrators and Peter Rabbit keep the dreams alive
Once upon a time, in an old city with a magnificent castle at its heart, there was a beautiful garden full of books where magical things happened and dreams came true . . . Well, not quite. But, with the holidays nearing their end, the telly rubbish and the rain as persistent as ever, children and teenagers could do worse than allow their parents to accompany them to Charlotte Square and experience the stupendous Programme for Children and Young Adults at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Among the 300 interactive readings and workshops, fans of fine fiction have the chance to meet their heroes as well as some shining new talents. Children’s
laureate Anne Fine makes several appearances, including a session in which she discusses writing for teenagers with Paul Magrs and Sandman author Neil Gaiman, while the hugely engaging Eoin
Colfer reveals the Arctic adventures of Artemis Fowl. Hard-hitting festival favourite Melvin Burgess introduces us to
The Ghost Behind the Wall, Roger McGough and Diana
Hendry spout entertaining verse and there will be two
opportunities to meet the fabulous Jacqueline Wilson,
reading from her new tales, The Worry Website and
Secrets.
For younger readers, Humphrey Carpenter introduces the latest Mr Majeika adventure, Jan Fearnley and Mr Wolf discover it’s A Perfect Day for It, and there’s even Room on
the Broom for a singalong with Julia
Donaldson.
As always, events abound for children of all ages, with daily printmaking workshops and debates ranging from the need for a Centre for the Children’s Book, to issues of fantasy versus morality in fantasy fiction. Oh, and there’s a rumour that a certain mischievous centenarian rabbit and his friends are hiding in the gardens. Catch him if you can, and win a fantastic prize!
(Allan Radcliffe)
I Charlotte Square Gardens, 624
5050. times vary, 70—26 Aug, prices
vary (some events free).
Here and There. Within these abstract boundaries. Something Else tries to make fnends.
Tall Stories do a superb job of caricaturing the unfriendly animals. Ali G-esque. hip hopping rabbits are just too cool for our little friend. Parisian birds are simply way out of his league. and tennis-playing giraffes guffaw at his lack of racket expertise. It's all rather heartbreaking. but then Something comes along . . .
Tall Stories‘ versatility
(there's only
three of
them). conviction. warmth and humour ensure that Something
Else is '\ something 3 very special ti" indeed. (Ruth
Hedges)
I C Too, 0870 707 5705. until 25 Aug (not 7 7), 3pm, £6.50 (£4.50—E550).
THEATRE PRINCESS BARBY AND THE
WRESTLER Fairy tale flop O
This three-man show is an attempt at a post- modern interpretation of a mish mash of fairy tales. A thirty-something woman kisses a frog. and instead of him turning into a handsome prince for her to live happily ever after with. he appears as a schoolboy wrestler. with a liking for shopping. It could be interesting. unfortunately it is not. Written and directed by the female lead. it's her first creation. and by God. it's obvious. The dialogue delivered by the two self-conscious male teenage actors was mumbled incoherently throughout. The script was incessantly lengthy. boring and monotonous. Princess Barby and the Wrestler was a joke with no punch line. Four of the audience members walked out. Diabolical. (Caroline Mason)
I Hill Street Theatre.
226 6522, until 26 Aug. noon, £5 (£3).
COMEDY
JAMES CAMPBELL’S COMEDY 4 KIDS
Does the story-teller stand up? 0.0
Why do we have hair? Why do we have middle names? Is it in case we break the first? These and other burning questions that only a child would ask lies at the heart of James Campbell's first stand- up show for kids. Better-known as a storyteller. his comical observations range from boring uncles and dogs to idiotic signs and sausages. No heckles here. just the odd baby crying which swiftly becomes part of his material. His deliberate nonchalant delivery goes down a treat but wrapping up the show 15 minutes early. you begin to wonder whether it's really just part of his act.
(Helen Monaghan)
I The Underbelly, 08 70 745 3083. until 25 Aug. 2.70pm, 85—26 (TM—£5).
THEATRE
BIG BAD DUVET TERROR
League of Gentlemen- meets-Jackanory 0..
It's a big bad world out there and Quiconque theatre company are out to explore the horror. When three children find themselves alone and desenedinthe darkness of their bedroom. fears creep out of the wardrobe. from under the bed and behind the curtains. In a nightmarish world. terror grows in surreal. funny and frightening ways.
Quiconque create grotesque caricatures in their night-time odyssey where threat lurks around every corner. Their use of staging and props to conjure up other worlds is highly imaginative and witty. and their facial expressions compelling. For over- eights only. (Ruth Hedges)
I C too. 0870 707 5 705. until 25 Aug. £6.50 (24.50—95.50).
‘Esmeralda’ by Lydia Monks, Book Festival
12 & 13 Aug
THEATRE THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
A few frayed ends 000
From reading the rave quotes in the Fringe programme. you come expecting a ‘thrilling' piece of children's theatre. Unfonunately C theatres production doesn't really live up to the hype. Their adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's tale twists the plot and characters. but to no remarkable advantage. There are fantastic villains — Men of Textile Science — whose camped up evil d0uble act keeps the audience well entertained and some good slapstick moments. The script has witty one-liners dotted throughout. but the st0ry lags too often to 'keep the audience transfixed' as promised. C theatre's Emperor could benefit from a bit of a make over. maybe by an outside stylist. (Ruth Hedges) I C. 0870 70/ 5705. until 25 Aug (not I I). 7 7208/77. 95.50 (83.50—94.50).
8—15 Aug 2002 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 47