almost to bursting point. So, a balloon dog acquires a balloon lead and deposits a very realistic-looking balloon poo onstage. There’s a High Noon-style showdown between Schlesinger and a balloon that stubbornly refuses to pop. And then there’s the inept juggling: ‘Oh look – the swirling balloons have knocked the funny man’s glasses off!’ And that was just the cry from this reviewer, through helpless chokes of laughter. (Allan Radcliffe) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 30 Aug (not 24), 11.30am, £8–£9 (£6.50–£7.50).
THE BROTHERS LIONHEART Heavy tale of death and doom ●●●●● Jonathan and his little brother, Rusky set off an adventure that changes their lives forever. It’s a tale of dragons and monsters, and the mighty Tengil who has the villagers of Nangilaya living in
fear. The boys must man-up and fight back against Tengil’s reign of terror, and although they are both scared, they repeat the show’s motto: ‘Some things you just have to do; if you don’t you’re just worthless.’
It’s quite a heavy message (and not the catchiest) for the audience of primary school aged kids watching it. The opening scene sets the tone, when Rusky asks Jonathan, ‘Did you
Festival Kids WIND IN THE WILLOWS Beastly adaptation uses its loaf ●●●●●
You never quite know what you’re going to get from a student production at the Fringe, but this group of actors (and I use the word in the truest sense) from Cambridge University is a cut above the rest. Each character is clearly defined – the irrepressibly mischievous Toad, tea-obsessed Ratty, sensible Badger and adorably put-upon Moley – leaving the audience in no doubt as to their respective agendas. While the anti-social weasels, who’ll stop at nothing to pilfer a tasty ham, are superbly re-imagined as a group of 1930s ladies in cocktail dresses. As the well-known and equally well- loved storyline canters along, the main action is embellished by a witty mime artist. Strolling across the stage, she represents clouds, sheep, trees and all manner of passing objects. Equally inspired is the use of weaponry, with the final, beautifully-directed battle scene fought with French sticks and a limp white bread sandwich. Add to that the detailed set and costumes, and you’ve got a great hour of entertainment for all ages. (Kelly Apter) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 31 Aug, 12.30pm, £7–£8 (£5–£6).
LIGHTER THAN AIR Balloon antics provoke belly laughs ●●●●●
MANOLIBERA Clever cartoons for all ages ●●●●●
It’s amazing the fun that can be generated from a few simple props. When clown Danny Schlesinger plods on stage wearing a too-tight suit and a deadpan expression, his arms weighed down with three enormous yellow balloons, you wonder whether he will be able to hook his audience for a full 50 minutes. Yet his daft physical comedy quickly
proves a big hit with young folk and their parents. There are plenty of belly laughs to be obtained from the incongruity between Schlesinger’s rotund body and deadly serious expression, and the folly of his attempted antics – a prime example being the sequence in which he attempts hula hooping to a disco soundtrack. And it gets sillier, with the performer
taking a visual gag and stretching it
Although not strictly speaking a children’s show (it’s in the Dance & Physical Theatre section of the Fringe programme), this is a wonderful example of how a piece of theatre can cross the generational divide. Italian company Scarlattine Teatro has brought together two distinct talents – character acting and drawing – and turned them into a seriously clever piece of fun.
Employed to change the transparency film on an overhead projector, a conference temp longs for something more creative to do. Armed with a few felt tips, his mind soon begins to wander – and before long, the officious conference speakers have shed their suits, and turned into an accident-prone couple on a day-trip. Standing in front of the large screen, the duo are completely at the behest of the pen-wielding cartoonist, who deposits them in one hilarious scenario after another. Using a combination of on-the-spot sketches and pre-drawn cartoons,
artist Michele Eynard makes life consistently difficult for his co-performers, Michele Cremaschi and Anna Fascendini – then saves them at the last minute. In the course of an hour, a few brief words pass their lips, but essentially the show relies on body language and a few well-placed sound effects. Floods, wild animals, horrible traffic jams and over-crowded beaches all plague the hapless pair as they search for peace and quiet. Happily for us, they never quite find it. (Kelly Apter) ■ C Chambers Street, 0845 260 1234, until 31 Aug, 3.55pm, £9.50–£11.50 (£6.50–£10.50).
44 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 20–27 Aug 2009
know that I’m going to die?’ As if that wasn’t melodramatic enough, minutes later, Jonathan dies as the family home catches on fire. There are few laughs to lighten the mood, just lots of confusing appearances from Men in Black style baddies, and a grandfather figure trying to brace the boys for his eventual death. Judging by the fidgety children, and sleeping adults (four at this show) the far-fetched, fussy plot fails to capture an audience’s attention. (Claire Sawers) ■ George Square Theatre, 651 1292, until 31 Aug (not 25), 3.05pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50).
BAXTERBEAR’S TALES: STORYTELLING FOR ALL Globe-trotting bear with a tale to tell ●●●●●
With so many Fringe shows taking place in small, dark quarters, it’s refreshing (and not a little exciting) to attend one in the rather more grand surroundings of the Caledonian Hotel.
Having been greeted by a giant-
sized Baxterbear in the foyer, we’re taken to a bright, capacious room overlooking Edinburgh Castle. There, we meet our Icelandic storyteller, Snory, armed with a wee Baxterbear and a large map detailing all the places the adventurous chap has travelled to. With the sort of relaxed calm that’s
perfect for bedtime stories, Snory talks us through a couple of Baxterbear’s finest moments (including how he got his ear ripped), often enlisting his young audience to help. The stories themselves won’t rock the world, but there’s a certain old-world charm about his World War II antics. Then, if you’re feeling flush and in the
mood for a treat, the Baxterbear ‘Afternoon Tea’ rounds the event off perfectly. Superb service, gorgeous cakes, a free Baxterbear for every child (complete with torn ear) and another visit (and cuddle) from giant Baxterbear turn this into a very special occasion indeed. (Kelly Apter) ■ Caledonian Hilton Hotel, 226 0000, until 31 Aug, 2pm, £5 (for storytelling).
TWINE Moving tale of twine-made being brewed in a teapot ●●●●● Riddles Court off the Royal Mile makes a suitably atmospheric location for the first Fringe show from Edinburgh- based children’s theatre company, Tortoise in a Nutshell. Their tale – in which a group of tea and cupcake- loving storytellers inadvertently create Twine, a speechless being made entirely out of string – is an intricate brew of the clownish and the mysterious, and a tender meditation