Festival KIDS
PIRATE GRAN Swashbuckling, all-action adaptation N othing spells success like putting either a dinosaur or a pirate in your Fringe kids’ show, and while this doesn’t have the latter, it does boast Nippy, the finest life-sized puppet crocodile in all of Edinburgh.
It also happens to be produced by Scamp Theatre, the highly regarded producers of successful versions of Julia Donaldson’s books Stickman and Tiddler. Their strong reputation will continue on the back of this high-quality and dynamic adaptation of Geraldine Durrant and Rose Forshall’s book, which has most things a show for youngsters might require. There’s action and adventure, as a family of pirates led by Gran set sail for the Pirate Games, where cannonball throwing (into the crowd), rhythmic gymnastics and crocodile
racing are among the events on offer. On the way, there’s a stop for some playing in the living room and a spot of dinner in the kitchen, all-action and acrobatic events, and an atmospherically realised sailing voyage by night through storm-blown sheets.
Director Pieter Lawman and the company pitch the show perfectly between the physical and the spoken, and at the core of the show is a heartwarming message about being a brave pirate. Being one, we’re told, isn’t all plain sailing, but the least you can do is approach it with the same sense of fun and wonder as this show. (David Pollock) Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug (not 13), 11.30am, £10–11 (£9–£10). ●●●●●
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HITLIST THE BEST KIDS STUFF
✽ Potted Sherlock All 60 Sherlock Holmes stories in just 70 minutes, courtesy of the
inimitable Dan and Jeff. Prepare to laugh, a lot. See review, page 66. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 25 Aug (not 13, 20), 2.50pm, £11–£12 (£10–£11).
✽ Our Teacher’s a Troll Dennis Kelly’s
tale of a hideous troll who takes over a primary school is brought vividly to life in this intelligent adaptation. See review, page 67. Summerhall, 560 1581, until 23 Aug (not 17), 10.30am, £11–£12 (£9–£10).
✽ Arabian Nights Clever physical
storytelling is the order of the day, as these age-old tales are recreated on stage. See review, page
67. Gilded Balloon, 622 6552, until 24 Aug (not 18), 11.15am, £8–£9 (£6–£7).
✽ Decomposed! Two grown-up brothers end up sharing bunk beds again, in this
well-crafted, yet silly, homage to classical music. See review, page 67. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 25 Aug, 11.15am, £7–£9.50 (£6–£8.50).
✽ Emily Brown and the Thing Another fantastic outing from Tall Stories, this time based on Cressida Cowell’s well-loved book. See review at list.co.uk/festival. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 24 Aug, 2.05pm, £8–£10 (£7–£9).
14–25 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 65