LISTINGS KIDS
S
lISTINGS
I CHRISTMAS SHOWS Any day now, the theatres of Edinburgh and Glasgow will echo with the sound of ‘It’s behind you’, ‘Oh no it isn’t’ and a whole host of other panto Iaves. But before you part with your money, check out our special Christmas Shows round-up on pages 56-57, and the Theatre listings on pages 58-59, where you’ll tind details on shows by sing-a-long tunsters The Happy Gang (pictured above), the ever- popular Singing Kettle and lots more besides.
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by activity. Kids listings compiled by Kelly McMenamin.
Outdoors EEEEEIIIIIII
Activities And Fun
Festive Feathered Friends Sun 8 Dec. noon—3pm. Mugdock Country Park. 956 6l00. Help protect the wee birdies from the winter chill and have fun at the satne time making bird boxes. tables. feeders. deCorations. Christmas wreaths and cards.
Activities And Fun
Santa‘s Grotto At Edinburgh Zoo Sat 30 Nov—24 l)ec. Ham-4pm. £l.5() (includes entry to '/.oo). Corstorphine Road. 334
9 I 7 I. There's a brand new creature iii residence at the Zoo this Christmas. Instantly recognisable by his red coat. white fur. plump stomach and penchant for mince pies. this exceptionally friendly creature invites children into his bright. colourful den and hands them presents — not a bit like those lions then.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES Activities And Fun
Santa In llis Magic Cottage livery Sal/Sun iii I)ec. I0am—5pm. £2. Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Millfield. Livingston. ()I506 4 I4957. Follow the reindeer footprints. through the pine trees and down to the magical land of Father Christmas. where (if they're good). children will receive a present. You can also see the animals of Mill Farm in a special nativity scene or climb aboard the illuminated sleigh ride.
Indoors ramm-
Activities And Fun
Christmas Craft Fair Sat 30 Nov.
1 lam-4pm. Glasgow Steiner School. 52 l.utnsden Street. Lots to see. do and buy at the school's annual fair. but best of all. kids get the chance to climb on artist Colin McLeod's brand new giant wooden animal carvrngs.
Theatre
The Christmas Cabbage Sat 30 Nov. 2pm. £3 (£2). Scottish Mask 8; Puppet Theatre. 8 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 6l85. Ages 4—I l. Spindlewotxl Puppet's enchanting tale about a festive vegetable. Visitors to the Puppet Theatre can also witness their exciting new permanent display. ‘The Magical World ()f Puppets'. featuring puppets from around the world. The Borrowers Until l3 l)ec. I0. l5am and lpm. See Theatre listings.
Christmas Shows See photo caption.
Meet the man who bongs the kettledrum at Fascinating Rhythms, olICIl, Sun 8 Dec
Music
Children’s Classic Concerts Sun 8 Dec. 2pm. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. Tickets £7 (£3.50) from 287 55 l l. The Children's Music Foundation in Scotland continue to bring classical music to the younger generation with a fun afternoon entitled ‘Fascinating Rhythms'. Bring along your own baton and help Christopher Bell conduct the Orchestra of Scottish Opera as they play works by Copland. Handel. Tchaikovsky and Brahms.
Film
Saturday Kids Club l0am— 1 2.30pm. £1.50. Virgin Cinema. The Forge. Parkhead. 556 4282. Sat .30 Nov: Babe (U); Sat 7 Dec: The Indian In The Cupboard (PC). See Film index. page 27.
Exhibitions
A Penny For A Dream Until ll Jan. Mon—Sat l()am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Scotland Street Museum. 225 Scotland Street. 429 I202. lfthe thought ofkeeping children occupied without the aid of television. videos and computer games sends you into a cold sweat. then check out this fascinating new exhibition of Victorian family entertainment. Long before Mickey was a glint in Wall's eye. marionette shows. toy theatres and shadow puppets made the kids eyes light up — no doubt they‘ll have a similar effect today.
Claws Until 3| Mar. Art Gallery at Museum. Kelvingrove. 287 2699. Mon—Sat l0am—5pm; Sun Ham—5pm. From the moment you step through the
jaws of the massive lion guarding this
feline exhibition. it's cats. cats and more cats. Apart from the fascinating exhibits on show. there‘s a full programme of storytelling. face painting. mask making and the chance to enter your own pet in the gallery‘s photographic competition ‘Mog ()fThe Month‘.
EDINBURGH
Activities And Fun
Saturday Christmas Stories Sat 7 Dec. 2.30—4pin. Netherbow Theatre. 43 High Street. 556 9579. Storyteller Janis Perry and artist Kay Shanks lead a fuii afternoon for 6—9-year-olds. with a selection of Christmas stories and the chance for children to create their own watercolour paintings interpreting the tales.
Quickies For Kids Royal Museum of Scotland. 2 Chambers Street. 225 7534. Free ten-minute talks for children held every Saturday at 2. l5pm. ‘Japanese Dragons' come under the spotlight on Sat 30 Nov. followed by 'Two l’arasols' on Sat 7 Dec. Special kids tours of the Birds and Animals take place on Sunday I and 8 Dec at 3pm.
Santa Cruises Sal 7/Sun 8 Dec. I0.30ain—8pm (advance booking recommended). £5. Edinburgh Canal Centre. 27 Baird Road. Ratho. 333 I320. A one-hour fairytale cruise to Santa's secret grotto at 'l)uck Island'. at which point Santa comes on board to distribute gifts to the children while the adults have a coffee.
Theatre
Maisie From Morningside Thurs 5—Sat 7 Dec; Thurs I2—Sat I4 Dec. Ham and 2pm. £3 (£2.50). Netherbow Theatre. 43 Hiin Street. 556 9579. Ages 4 and over. Fringe favourite Ian Turbitt returns to the Netherbow for more puppet fun. this time wrth Aileen Paterson's Morningside inoggy as the star. Also. until 2 Jan. youngsters can dress up in one of the many costumes worn by the famous kilted tabby on her adventures.
Christmas Shows See photo caption.
Maisie wishes all her wee pals a very merry Christmas in Maisie From Morningside
at the Netherbow Theatre. Edinburgh,
Thurs S—Sat 14 Dec
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities And Fun The Spirit Di Christmas Until 6 Jan.
llam——5pm. £3.45 (£2.25); Family ticket £9.95. New l.anark Visitor Centre. New l.anark Mills. Lanark. ()l555 66l 345. A magical Disney-style ride for children and adults. which journeys back to a time when 25 December was just an ordinary working day iii Scotland (for folk other than Santa). on to the Victorian era and back to the present day mayhem we know and love.
Theatre
Biggar Puppet Theatre Broughton Road. Biggar. ()l899 22063 I. A triple dose of puppet fun is on offer in Bi go this fortnight. with lots of Far liastern magic for all the family in Aim/din (Sat 30 Nov; Tue 3; Thurs 5/Fri 6/Sat 7; Wed 1 lfl‘hurs I2 Dec). the theatres all-new Christmas sing-a-long show for under 7s Pips And I’um/u In Santa 's ll’m'ltx/mp (Sat 30 Nov) and I’i/is :lml Pam/u Ava The Three Burrs (Wed 4 Dec). Phone the box office for show times.
Toybox Tales Fri 29/Sat 30 Nov. Howdeii Park Centre. Livingston. (H.506 433634. Up to 9 years. More fun with the Happy Gang.
The List 29 NM |.‘ llev‘ I‘l‘lfi 73