LISTINGS KIDS
S
pages 59-62.
I THE iilCilTlilCAlE Hullaballoo Children’s Theatre bring the flavour of the Orient to the Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow, with their adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s charming tale. For details or this and other festive shows, see Theatre listings,
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by activity. Kids listings compiled by Kelly McMenamin.
Outdoors HMMMHIIIIIII
Activities And Fun
I Santa’s Grotto At Edinburgh Zoo Until 24 Dec. 11am—4pm. £1.50 (includes entry to Zoo). Corstorphine Road. 334 9171. There's a brand new creature in residence at the 7.00 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.
I Santa Cruises Sat l4/Sun 15; 21—24 Dec. 10.30am—8pm (advance booking recommended). £5. Edinburgh Canal Centre. 27 Baird Road. Ratho. 333 1320. A one-hour fairytale cruise to Santa‘s secret grotto at ‘I)uck Island'. at which point you can hand the kids over to Santa and have a coffee.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities And Fun
I Santa In ills Magic Cottage Sat 14/Sun 14; Sat 21/Sun 22 Dec. 10am—5pm. £2. Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Millfield. Livingston. 01506 414957. 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.
I Santa Steam Trains Sat l4/Sun 15; Sat 2l/Sun 22 Dec. Bo‘ness and Kinneil Railway. Union Street. Info: 01383 822944 (weekdays 7—9pm). A seven-mile round trip on a good old fashioned steam train. during which Santa comes on board
and. generous chap that he is. gives the young‘uns a gift.
I Santa Visits Calderglen Sat l4/Sttn 15; Sat 21/Sun 22 Dec. 1—3pm. The Conservatory. Calderglen Country Park. Strathaven Road. East Kilbride. ()1355 236644. As the name suggests. Father Christmas finds time in his busy schedule to drop into the park. hand out pressies and join in all the fun and games on offer.
Indoors ramm—
Exhibitions
I A Penny For A Dream Until 11 .Ian. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Scotland Street Museum. 225 Scotland Street. 429 1202. Puppet man extraordinaire John Blundall (creator of puppets for Thum/erhirds. Stingray and Roland Rat). has joined the Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre as artistic director. bringing with him a smashing collection of multi-cultural puppets from around the world. plus prints and model theatres. Half his stash is on show at Scotland Street. the rest can be seen at the Puppet Theatre. 8 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 6185. under the banner ‘The Magical World Of Puppets'. I Claws Until 31 Mar. Art Gallery & Museum. Kclvingrove. 287 2699. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm. From the moment you step through the jaws of the massive lion guarding this fascinating feline exhibition. it‘s cats. cats and more cats. including the chance to enter your own pet in the gallery’s photographic competition ‘Mog Of The Month‘. A special storytelling session with Maisie creator Aileen Paterson is planned for Sat 14 Dec at 2pm (phone Richard Sutcliffe on 287 2660 to book a Elace). and on Sat 21 Dec there’s hristmas Activities With Santa Clavrs. a day of activities including quizzes and mask-making.
film
I Saturday Kids Club 10am—12.30pm. £1.50. Virgin Cinema. The Forge. Parkhead. 556 4282. Sat 14 Dec: Miracle Dil 34th Street (U); Sat 21 Dec: The Santa Clause (PC). See Film index.
Theatre
I Christmas Shows For details of kids‘ shows in Glasgow this month. see review feature. pages 14/15 and Theatre Listings. pages 59—62.
EDINBURGH
Activities And Fun
I Cuickies For Kids Royal Museum of Scotland. 2 Chambers Street. 225 7534. Free ten-minute talks for children held every Saturday at 2.15pm. ‘Moles and their Hills' is the subject on Sat 14 Dec. followed by ‘Wild Cats' on Sat 21 Dec and ‘The Giant Tortoise‘ on Sat 28 Dec. Special kids tours of the Birds and Animals take place on Sunday 15. 22 and 29 Dec at 3pm. There‘s also a Christmas Art Competition on Fri 27 and Mon 30 Dec. for ages 6 and under. 7—9. 10-12. 13—16 and over 16s. Draw something from the Museum's collection and you could win a prize and have your work displayed in the Main Hall. Plus a Festive Tree Trail (Thurs 26 Dec—2 Ian). lantern Slide Shows (Fri 27—Mon 30 Dec) and Christmas Storytelling (Fri 27/Sat 28 Dec and Sat 4 Jan). Contact the Museum for times.
I Saturday Christmas Stories Sat 2l Dec. 2.30—4pm. Netherbow Theatre. 43 High Street. 556 9579. Storyteller Janis Perry and artist Kay Shanks lead a fun session 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.
Him
I The Adventures or Wallace And Gromit Thurs 26—Sat 28 Dec. 2.30pm. Filrnhouse. 88 l.othian Road. 228 2688. A triple-bill
of animated fun. with A Grand Day Out. The Wrng Trousers and A Close Shave.
Theatre
I Maisie From Momingside Fn‘ l3/Sat 14 Dec; 28 Dec—2 Jail. 1 1am and 2pm. £3 (£2.50). Netherbow Theatre. 43 High Street. 556 9579. Ages 4 and over. Fringe favourite Ian Turbitt returns to the Netherbow for more puppet fun. this time with Aileen Paterson's Momingside moggy as the star. Also. until 2 Jan. youngsters can dress up in one of the many costumes worn by the famous killed tabby on her adventures. and from 28—30 Dec at 3.30pm (£3/£2.50) Aileen Paterson herselfwill be in residence. holding a storyhour.
I Christmas Shows For details of kids' shows in Edinburgh this month. see review feature. pages 14/15 and Theatre Listings. pages 59—62.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities And Fun
I The Spirit or Christmas Until 6 Jan. 11am—5pm. £3.45 (£2.25); Family ticket £9.95. New Lanark Visitor Centre. New Lanark Mills. Lanark. 01555 661345. A magical Disney-style ride for children and adults. which journeys back to a time when 25 December wasjust an ordinary working day in Scotland (for folk other than Santa). onto the Victorian era and back to the present day mayhem we know and love.
Theatre
I Biggar Puppet Theatre Broughtolt Road. Biggar. 01899 220631. There‘s no fewer than four shows to choose from at the theatre this Christmas: Far Eastern magic for all the family in Aladdin (Sat 14/Mon l6fThurs 19/Sat 21—Mon 23/I'hurs 26—Sat 28 Dec); the theatre‘s all-new Christmas sing-a-Iong show for under 7s Pips And Panda In Santa Iv Workshop (Sat 2 I/Mon 23f1"ue 24 Dec); Pips And Panda Meet The Three Bears -— for under 7s (Fri 20 Dec); and The Nutcracker — for ages 6-adult (Mon 30/fue 31 Dec). Phone box office for show times and prices.
I Mil BCilES’ CHRISTMAS CRACKEII Mr Bones and his Travelling Pupp
etTheatretdte
up residency this Christmas at the Cottier Theatre, Glasgow tor a vreeir oi yeletide mirur. For details or Ms and other festive shovvs, see Theatre listings, pages 59-62.
The List 13 Dec 1996-9 Jan 1997 63