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:— MacCool dud
I remember when l was wee, someone telling me about Finn MacCool. The name ‘MacCool’ for me resembled a Corbals cartoon character more than a ‘real’ legendary figure. Clydebuilt Puppets’ Tales of Firm shows that his life lived up to the promise of his name. ‘I suppose these mythic characters are the old version of
cartoon characters,’ says Steve Smart, one of Clydebuilt’s two-person team. ‘They were the Supennen of their times, super strong and courageous, until Christianity came along and ousted thern.’
The show follows the rise at Finn MacCool from boyhood to legendary leader of the Fianna, the most famous warrior tribe in lreland. Finn’s son, Oisin, returns from Tyr-na-ilge, the land of the Forever Young, after 300 years to iind the Fianna gone and almost forgotten as the new Christian faith spreads over lreland. liarrating with flashbacks, Oisin keeps the spirit of Finn and the Fianna alive by telling the stories of the old times to a young boy, Connor.
‘liobody is really telling the old stories,’ bemoans Smart. ‘Because of the way families are these days, grandparents don’t tell tales to their grandchildren, so they’re missing out on these wonderful stories of myth and adventure.’ Despite television and books, Smart insists drama and story- telling are the best conductors for these tales. ‘lt’s in your head you remember them best, then you can pass them on. And this is how to keep the stories alive.’ (Gabe Stewart) Tales of Finn, Clydebuilt Puppets, on tour.
Far-flung places
if the Fling epitomises anything, it’s a celebration of the diverse nature of Edinburgh’s communities. And you can’t get much more eclectic than A Tour De Forth, described as a ‘multi- media storytelling event’ by its director, Lee Gershuny. This is a collaboration between The Elements and Dance Base, companies based in drama and dance respectively, which have brought together both ends of the age Spectrum (7-85-years-old) in a series of Fling activities in Craigentinny, Bonnington and Portobello. Like the communities, each event exists in its own right, but also draws together to a climax in Corgie.
New Yorker Cershuny started with a vision of Edinburgh as an enormous Noah’s Ark. ‘ilolding our diversity afloat on the Firth of Forth, the diversity is what unites us,’ she explains. Then, using her patented ‘game plan’, the professional companies and the community participants took the story from there. ‘We improvise within a structure of a model of community,’ she says. ‘People just plug in their language and their culture and everybody contributes to the story. Even if they
3: T’j‘ s: sit quietly in their seats, it’s a role that contributes to the story.’
What are the audience likely to see? ‘There is no pre-conceived story,’ Cershuny says. ‘The only preconception is the idea of human beings journeying, travelling; the stories of birth, death and archetypal adventure.’ It’s impossible to imagine the result of this marriage of young imaginations, rich memories and Cershuny’s complicated, creative ‘game plan’, but I’m very tempted to go along and find out. (Gabe Stewart) A Tour de Forth, St Bride’s Community Centre, Sat 7 May.
Rain or shine, our st-a-glance guide will see you through. Events are listed under outdoors or indoors columns, and then divided by city. Kids listings cornplled by Gabe Stewart.
Outdoors t as?“ [im—
Actlvities and Fun
I Creatures of the Deep Craigend Visitors Centre, Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, near Milngavie, 956 6100. Sun 15 May. 2—3.30pm. Free. Dip into the lives of Mugdock's pond inhabitants.
I Woodland Walkabout Baron’s Haugh Nature Reserve, Motherwell, 0234 211522. Sat 14 May. 10am. £3.75. 5—8- years. Woodland activities for young explorers include nature trailing and bark rubbing.
I Birdwatching Outing to Loch of the Lowes Meet at the Watersports Centre, Strathclyde Country Park, Hamilton. 0698 887401, Graham Hogg. Sat 14 May. 9am—6pm. Free. Under-eigth must be accompanied by a parent. Bring lunch, wet weather clothes, notebook. pencil and binoculars for a full day’s visit to the Scottish Wildlife Trust's reserve near Dunkeld, renowned for its breeding ospreys.
EDINBURGH
Activities and Fun
I Ilgl'it Hike Corstorphine Hill (meet at Caimmuir Road Car Park), 447 7145. Fri 13 May. 8.30—10.30pm. Free. One for the older kids, and you, to find out what’s going down in the soil as night creatures come to life.
I llarnble in Kidnapped Country South Queensferry (meet at Edinburgh Road Car Park). 447 7145. Sun 15 May. 10am—2pm. £3. This ramble celebrates Robert Louis Stevenson's centenary, by exploring the area and characters which inspired Kidnapped. Light refreshments at the Hawes Inn, as recommended by R.L.S. himself.
Indoors
Theatre
I Tales of Filth Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre retell the adventurous tales of Firm MacCool, ancient Irish tribal warrior. See panel.
Govan UCRC, Rathlin Street 445 4263. Thurs 5 May. 1.30pm. £1 (50p).
St Philomena It Primary, Robroyston Road 770 4134. Fri 6 May. 1.30pm. £1 (50p). Birgidale Complex, 10 Stravanan Street 631 1161. Sat7 May. ilam.£1(50p).
The Drama Centre at the Ramshorn, 98 Ingram Street 227 5511. Mon 9 May. 1.30pm. £4 (£2).
I The Wolf Bites Back Moving Goalposts
Jazz Orchestra's Mayfest-commissioned
residency with Bellahouston Primary School introduces children to the instruments of the Big Band in a new version of the Peter and the Wolf story. £1 (50p).
Bellahouston Primary School, 425 Paisley Road West 427 2157. Mon 16 May. 10am. lbrox Trust, 80 Hinshelwood Drive 427 1233. Tue 17 May. 1.30pm.
Molendinar Community C entre, 45 Craighead Avenue 770 7248. Wed 18 May. 1.30pm.
Wellshot Primary. 285 Wellshot Road 763 0351. Thurs 19 May. 1.30pm.
I The Spark Ludus Dance Company questions the media’s use of love as a commodity through a simple adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
Bishoploch Residents Hall, Easterhouse 773 0705. Wed 9 May. 1.30pm for company performance; Fri 13 May. 7.30pm for schools and company performance. £1 (50p).
I Peacemaker Visible Fictions' dynamically didactic tale of breaking down barriers, is as relevant now as when it was first performed in 1982. £1 (50p). 5—8-years.
Roystonhill Centre, 108 Royston Road 552 1810. Mon 16 May. 10.30am. Mencat Theatre. 31 Hecla Square, Drumchapel 944 9022. Mon 16 May. 1.30pm.
Garnethill MCC, 2/ Rose Street 332 9765. Tue 17 May. 10.30am.
Maryhill Community Central Halls, 304 Maryhill Road 332 9115. Tue 17 May. 1.30pm.
Darnley Community Centre, I 75 Darnley Street 424 3920. Wed 18 May. 10.30am. Bis/toploeh Residents Hall, Easterhouse 773 0705. Wed 18 May. 1.30pm.
I Mr Boom The extremely popular children’s entertainer tours community venues. £1 (50p).
Birgidaie Complex, 10 Stravanan Street 631 1161. Mon 16 May. 11am.
Gorbals UCRC, 52 Waddell Street 429 3905. Mon 16 May. 1.30pm.
Larkjield Centre, 39 Inglefield Street 424 1797. Tue 17 May. 11am.
Dalmarnock Community Centre, 3 Lin Street 556 4776. Tue 17 May. 1.30pm. Mercat Theatre, 3/ Hecla Square 944 9022. Wed 18 May. llatn.
EDINBURGH Activities and Fun
I Annular Eclipse of the Sun Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill. 668 8405. Tue 10 May. Eclipse lecture at 5.45pm, followed by viewing until 9pm. Free. Weather permitting, the next partial eclipse of the sun should be visible tonight. Staring at the sun isn’t advisable, so seize this opportunity to use the expert guidance of Scotland‘s most experienced astronomers.
I Saturday Stories The Netherbow, 43—45 High Street. 556 9579/2647. Sats 7 and 14 May. 2.30—4pm. £1.50 (£3 with painting). 6—9-years. Janis Perry returns to the Netherbow with her series of folk and fairytales. The sessions include some drama. some music and some surprises. On 14 May the story will be followed by the chance to portray your ideas in watercolours.
Cinema
I Filmhouse Matinees Lothian Road. 228 2688. £2. Films start at 2.30pm. 7 May The Three Musketeers (PC) (the new one), 14 May Hocus Pocus (PG).
Theatre
I A Tour de Forth St Bride's Community Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, 346 1405. Sat 7 May. 2—4.30pm. £3 (£2).
I Peacemaker Brunton Theare, Musselburgh, 665 2240. Sat 14 May. 2pm. £3 (£2). 5—8-years. Edinburgh's chance to catch the Mayfest children's hit, before they return east for the Children's Festival in May.
The List 6—19 May 1994 57