BALLET I THE SNOWMAN
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, until Sat 12 Jan osooo
kids@list.co.uk
Is there a cut-off point for finding animal costumes cute? An age where suddenly, a ballet dancing squirrel doesn’t make you go ‘aah’? If so, I haven’t reached it yet - nor do I want to. Not if it means finding shows such as this anything less than magical. From the opening bars of Howard Blake’s infamous score (now a full 90 minutes long after its original 26) to the final flurry of snow, Scottish Ballet have created a Christmas show to
:5 Nothing less than magical
melt the hardest of hearts. Boardroom bother is clearly the last thing on the performer’s minds, as they throw themselves headlong into one fun
scene after another.
Raymond Briggs’ original story remains intact, losing nothing, but gaining the odd character (a spiky Jack Frost figure and robotic dancer to name but two), whilst the set and costumes lift the colours and cutesy charm of the animated film off the small screen and into reality. A cleverly revolving stage takes us from young James’ wintry garden into his cosy house (the scene of much mischief involving giant fruit, a life-size teddy bear and of course, the Snowman) while the cosmopolitan Snowman’s Ball in Act Two is a riot of snowy smiles and assorted national dresses. Choreographer Robert North throws in as many laughs as is humanly possible without descending into the realms of panto, keeping the adults tittering and the kids guffawing. Either that or we’re dewy eyed at the sheer beauty of it all, most notably when James and his frozen pal float through the air to that song. An unmissable treat for anyone susceptible to big paws, fluffy tails and limbo-dancing pineapples. (Kelly Apter)
We welcome submissions for this section, but cannot guarantee inclusion. Please send details to our offices at least ten days before publication. Kids listings compiled by Maureen Ellis.
Activities And Fun
Art And Storytelling Workshops Fri 4 Jan. 10.15am—12.45pm 8; 1.30—4pm. £1. Burrell Collection. 2060 Pollokshaws Road. 287 2550. Ages 5—8 8; 9—12. Fun arts and crafts activities for the Christmas holidays based on the theme of ancient Egypt
The Tinsel Trail L'ntil Sun 6 Jan. Mon 8; Wed—Sat 10.30am—5pm: Tue
| 1am—5pm; Sun noon—5pm. 50p. The Lighthouse. 1 1 Mitchell Lane. 221 6362. Ages 5—12. Follow the path of snowflakes scattered over six floors of hidden clues. riddles and fun.
lrn-Bru Christmas And New Year Carnival Fri 4—Sun 13 Jan. Fri 4~Sun 6 Jan. noon—10pm; Mon 7—Fri 11 Jan. 6—10pm: Sat 12 8; Sun 13 Jan. noon—10pm. £2—£15. SliCC. Finnieston Quay. 08700404000. The festive season gets off to a action-packed start as Europe's largest indoor fun fair returns to Glasgow. Bobby Roberts Super Circus Fri 4—Sun 13 Jan. 3pm 8; 7pm. £10—£15 (£7—£l0): family ticket £28. SECC. Finnieston Quay. 08700404000. Experience the thrills and spills of the big top with the renowned circus company. Christmas & New Year Card Making Workshop Sat 5 & Sun 6 Jan. 1 lam—1.30pm. Free. Museum Of Transport. Kelvin Hall. 1 Burnhouse Road. 287 2720. Advance booking required. Ages over 8. Make an original seasonal greetings card with the help ofJulie Baird.
Banner Making Workshop Sat 5 & Sun 6 Jan. 2.30—4.30pm. Free. Museum 01' Transport. Kelvin Hall. I Burnhouse Road. 287 2720. Join Julie Baird fora fun drop-in workshop.
Film
Human Body (PC); Grand Canyon (PG). times vary. cheek Film listings for showing times. £5 (£3.50). IMAX Theatre. Glasgow Science Centre. 50 Pacific Quay. 420 5000.
MUSIC
National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Fri 4 Jan. 7.30pm. £11—£24.50. Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 353 8000. Ages over 8. Garry Walker conducts the talented young musicians in Dvorak's Carnival ()verIu/‘e. Bruch‘s Violin Com-or! No l and Mahler's Symphony No l .
Theatre 8 Dance
Scottish Ballet - The Snowman Fri 4 & Sat 5 Jan. Tue 8—Sat 12 Jan. 7.15pm; Fri 4 Jan. Sat 5 Jan & Sat 12 Jan. noon & 4.30pm; Wed 9 Jan. 1.30pm; Thu 10 Jan. 1.30pm 8.: 7.15pm. £3.50-£20. Theatre Royal. 282 Hope Street. 332 9000. Scottish Ballet present their magical adaptation of Raymond Briggs‘ book. complete with lots of cuddly characters and Howard Blake‘s magnificent score.
Activities And Fun
Quickies For Kids Royal Museum Of Scotland. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. Free. Ten-minute talks for children held every Saturday at 2.15pm and every Sunday at 3.15pm.
Winter Wonderland Fri 4—Sun 6 Jan. Fri & Sat 10am—10pm; Sun 10am—8pm. £5 (£4); family ticket £15.
Kids
Film The Neverendlng Story (U) Sun 6 Jan. 2.30pm: Osmosis Jones (PG) Sun 13 Jan. 2.30pm. £1.50. MacRobert. University of Stirling. Stirling. 01786 461081. Please note that during refurbishment. all films will be screened in the Logic Lecture Theatre. See Film Index.
Theatre
Circus Royale L'ntil Sun 6 Jan. 2.30pm & 5.30pm. £6—£8 (£4—£6). Scotland‘s Theme Park. Strathcly'de Country Park. Motherwell. 01698 333999. Roll up. roll up to M&D‘s big top as Circus Royale head out on their first UK tour.
The Gruffalo Fri 4 Jan. 2pm & 6pm. £5. Wy'nd Theatre. Buccleuch Street. Melrose. 01896 823854. Ages 3+. Tall Stories present a musical collaboration of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schaffer. Join the little mouse on his adventurous journey through the deep. dark wood. Puss In Boots Sat 5 Jan. 2pm. £3.50. The Big Idea. The Harbourside. Irvine. 08708 4031 18. Join Jack and his cunning cat as they try to outwit the Ogre in this charming panto from Hopscotch Theatre Company.
The International Purves Puppets Biggar Puppet Theatre. Broughton Road. 01899 220631. £5 (£4); family tickets £23 8; £36. Book in advance as times are subject to change. Reductions for parties of five or more. Shows on offer over the next two weeks
Cinderella Fri 4 Jan. 2pm. Purves Puppets work their magic on this timeless fairytale.
Pips And Panda Meet The Three Bears Sun 6 Jan. 2pm: Thu 10 Jan. 10.45am. Ages up to 7. The terrible twosome set off on ajourney into the woods where they get into all sorts of mischief.
The Tinderbox Sat 12 Jan. 2pm: Thu 17 Jan. 10.45am. Corporal Fitzpatrick goes in search of a magical Tinderbox and happens upon some weird and wonderful characters along the way.
Exhibition
Undersea Fantasy L'ntil Sun 27 Jan. 10am—4pm. Free. Summerlee Heritage Park. Heritage Way. Coatbridge. 01236 431261. Venture under the sea in this interactive children‘s exhibition chock full of hidden treasure. wildlife and wrecked sea-faring vessels.
Princes Street Gardens East. Princes Street. 226 6550. East Princes Street Gardens are transformed into a magical ice extravaganza featuring an open air ice rink. festive music. a Christmas market and new for this year. a heart-racing toboggan ride. Toboggan run £1 for two shots; £2 for five shots.
The Edinburgh Wheel L'ntil Sun 6 Jan. 10am—l 1pm. Princes Street Gardens East. Princes Street. 473 3800. Set against the backdrop of the Scott Monument and Winter Wonderland. the Ferris wheel shows Edinburgh‘s festive essence at its best.
Holiday Time In The Discovery Centre L'ntil Sun 6 Jan. Discovery Centre. Museum Of Scotland. Chambers Street. 247 4090. Try on period costumes. meet the time travelling Dr What and take part in fun and games around the centre. Sealed With A Kiss Sun 6 Jan.
1 lam—12.30pm & I—4pm. Free with exhibition ticket. City Art Centre. 2 Market Street. 529 3993. Make a rubber stamp or seal. try out ceramic tile decorating and printmaking at this drop-in workshop. Saturday Art At The Dean Sat 12 Jan. 10am—noon. £10 for four week block. Dean Gallery. Belford Road. 624 6200. Advance booking required. Ages 6—10. See photo caption.
King Arthur’s Realm Sat 12 Jan.
1 lam—12.30pm & 1—4pm. Free with exhibition ticket. City Art Centre. 2 Market Street. 529 3993. A drop-in workshop led by Margaret Findlay to make enchanted castles. Merlin puppets and medieval banners.
Film
Shrek (1') Fri 4 Jan. 2pm; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (L'i Sat 5 Jan. 1pm. £4.50 (£2.50). The Lumiere. Royal Museum. Chambers Street. 247 4219. See Film Index.
Theatre & Dance
The Nutcracker Mon l4—Sat 19 Jan. 7.30pm: Thu 8: Sat 2.30pm 8; 7.30pm. £6—£30.50. Playhouse. 18-22 Greenside Place. 0870 6063424. Ballet international revive the 1966 Moscow production of this popular ballet. choreographed by former Bolshoi director Yuri Grigorovich.
Outside The Cities -
Activities And Fun
Yule Tidy-up! Sttn 6 Jan. noon—3pm. Free. Calderglen Country Park. Strathaven Road. Fast Kilbride. 01355 236644. A fun environment themed day where you can recycle Christmas trees and cards or take part in activity sessions.
SATURDAY ART AT THE DEAN Saturdays 12 Jan-2 Feb, 10am—noon. £10 for four week block. Dean Gallery, Belford Road, Edinburgh, 0131 624 6200. Advance booking required. Ages 6-10. Juliana Capes leads a series of four fun workshops which use inspiration from works in the galleries to explore drawing techniques.
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