BOOK EVENT/PUPPET THEATRE PETER RABBIT
Pottered history
PANEL'SCHOICE
Poo-dunnit The Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business is given the third degree
The List assembled a panel of experts to assess the merits of a curious tale involving a mole and a curly brown poo that landed on his head one fine morning. The mole asks all the
farmyard animals it it's their poo. including a stoner goat who had a psychedelic dream about three little dude pigs who are being chased by a big baaaaaaad wolf.
Taking a break from his busy schedule, we were joined by the director of the children's programme for this year‘s International Book Festival, Marc Lambert. and giving up some precious holiday time, his daughter Molly, aged seven. In the intense debate that followed. ranging over many a sticky topic, our panel drew these conclusions . . .
Marc was impressed with its scope: “What was interesting is there was an educational aspect to it. There was stuff for kids because it was a nice story and it was well acted. Then there's stuff for adults because there's
It's an iconic image. Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit munching on radishes has been an integral part of millions of people's childhoods around the world. And. yes, as you may have heard. he's 100 years old this year. It's a birthday that hasn‘t passed festival organisers by. and there are a few ways to celebrate. The Book Festival has organised a Peter Rabbit Trail with a hunt for Peter‘s animal friends around Charlotte Square and a Centenary Celebration. It's also your last chance to catch the tale by Ian Turbitt's Puppet Theatre at the Netherbow. (Ruth Hedges) I Join the Peter Rabbit Trai/l, Charlotte Square, 624 5050, 76— 78 Aug, all day, £3.50; Peter Rabbit 's Centenary Celebration, Charlotte Square, 624 5050, 16 8. 7 7 Aug, £3.50; Peter Rabbit, Netherbow Theatre, until Aug 77, £5 (£3.50).
lots of in-jokes, so from that point of view it WOuld satisfy anybody -— you could take very yOung kids way up to 13 year olds. And there was enough of repetition which is really important for younger ones.‘
80 Molly, what did you think? 'I liked it when the goal came in — it was funny. I liked him telling the stOry and I also liked the cow — he was funny too. I liked everything!‘
Marc was particularly impressed with the actor who played all the animal characters: ‘Often peOpIe try to do lots of different accents and they get it horribly wrong, but he did it really well.’
And w0uld Molly recommend it to her friends? ‘Yeah!’
80 after chewing the fat and getting right to the heart of the matter our List panel gave it a definite thumbs up.
(Thanks to Marc and Molly for their comments)
I The Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business, C Too, 0870 707 5705, until Aug 25, 77.30am, £5.50 ($350—$450).
(0 FREDERICK WARNE 8. CO..1902, 2002
kids@list.co.uk
FESTIVAL KIDS
Top acts for ankle-biters
I Something Else Tall Stories adaptaion of Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell's book - the story of a funny little creature, Something Else. who doesn’t have anyone. doesn't fit in. is just something else, somewhere between Here and There — is heartbreakineg good. C Too, 0870 707 5705, until 25 Aug, 3pm, £6.50 (£4.50—E550).
I Panic at the Circus There's anarchy down at ‘ring. Tiger’s depressed and
monkey's got a bit too cheeky for the ringmaster’s liking. Theatre Du Risorius's
subversive and highly imaginative puppet show
keeps the audience enthralled. See review. The Garage Chap/teau, 227 9009, until Aug 26, 2.30pm, £5 (£4). '
I Maisy’s Farm Popular little i mouse Maisy is here to show you round her farm and new pop-up book. With songs, games and goodies. The International Book Festival, 624 L 5050, 78 Aug, 70am, £3.50.
l The Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business Kipper TIE present a scurrilous adaptation of the children's
picture book where a lobby
lands on mole’s head and he wants to know whodunnit. Full
of lots of laughs for adults and kids; excellently acted and , produced. See Panel‘s Choice. C too, 0870 707 5705, 7—25 Aug, 77 .30am, £5.50 (£4.50).
I Big Bad Duvet Terror Not for the faint at heart. Quiconque's night-time odyssey is one of chills and fears, Iurching from the grotesque to the surreal. Threat is everywhere and on a sleepless night, the safety of a duvet mutates into danger. Compelling, frightening and funny. C Too, 0870 707 5705, until 25 Aug, 4pm, £6.50 (£4.5&£5.50).
15—22 Aug 2002 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 47