STAGE- ADAPlAl ION STUART LITTLE Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 2-Sat 6 May
A human giving birth to a rodent might be too unsavoury for Hollywood, but if it’s good enough for EB. White, it’s good enough for Polka Theatre. When Stuart Little transferred to the big screen in 1999, stars Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie adopted the eponymous mouse from the local orphanage. But, just as in White’s original 19403 book, Polka’s stage adaptation opens with the people of New York proclaiming ‘Have you heard? Mrs Little’s had a mouse!’
Or in this case, a 3ft rod puppet voiced and manipulated by RSAMD-trained actor, Stewart Cairns. Taking a number of key moments from the book — the boat race in Central Park, Stuart’s unfortunate tangle with a washing machine, and various brushes with Snowbell the Cat - Polka’s innovative production has already proved popular with London audiences, and is now heading to Glasgow. ‘lt’s a very inventive piece of theatre,’ says Cairns, ‘with a real sense of magic about it.’ The eight-strong cast play a variety of ‘weird and wacky characters', as Cairns calls them, while he himself concentrates on doing his job so well, the audience forgets he’s there. ‘One little boy said “why was that strange man standing behind Stuart?".’ laughs Cairns, who makes no attempt to hide his arms or keep his lips still. Instead, the eternal power of puppetry forces the audience to suspend disbelief, and accept Stuart as a viable new member of the Little family, just as readers of White’s book do.
There’s also a catchy song, which Cairns promises we’ll all be singing on the way home, plus moments of kiddie participation. ‘lt’s not that we actively ask the kids to get involved.’ explains Cairns. ‘But when Stuart goes missing, they all start shouting “he’s in the washing machine!”.’ (Kelly Apter)
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to kids@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Jules Graham.
Glasgow
Activities And Fun
Sunday Craft Club 30 Apr & 7 Ma)
l lam-lpm. liree. (ilasgon Musetiiirs Resource Centre. 300 \Vtxxlhead Road. Nitshill. 37b ‘)375. Drop-in cral‘t club it ith a dill'ererrt theme each neek. .-\ges 5- l 3. Saturday Art Club 3‘) Apr & b Ma} l0am-lpm. Free. (killer) of Modern Art. Royal lixchange Square. 33‘) l‘)‘)b. Fun art activities for children aged 3- l0 - parents can get stuck in too.
Alice Through the Looking Glass l0am-bpm. Glasgow Science Centre. 50 Pacific Qua}; 430 5000. lm estigatc
64 THE LIST 27 Apr—l 1 May 2006
[X‘i‘ccptiori and realit} through lots ol mind-
bendirrg interactixc acti\ ities.
Acting Up! Drama for Children and Young People Sat 3‘) :\pr & Sat (i .\la_\ llarn; Wed 3 & Wed l0 Ma}. b.30piii. £5. (‘(':\. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900.
Workshops for b-l |-_\ear'-o|ds (Salt and I3-
lS-}t‘rtr-tiltls t\\'etll. Booking essential. Professor Bedlam’s Potion Show Sat 3‘) Apr-Mon I Ma}. noon. 3pm & 4pm. l‘TL‘C “till Mtlll L‘tllt‘}. (ilttsgtm Science Centre. 50 Pacific Qua}. 430 50l0. The magical and m_\ sterious sorcerer puts on a special Slit)“. crammed \\ ith e\plosionsl GUVMA Rodeo Sat 3‘) Apr. £5 i£350r1 lttltlll} lit‘kt‘l Ht). (iarscubc lislttlc. Bcgirsdcn Road. ll775l 655645. .-\tlllllttl~ based tun. including falconr} and husk}
team tllspltl} s. port} rides and a petting zoo.
Junior Nature Club Srrn 30 Apr. l.-l5- 4pm. £l. Mtigdock (‘otintr} Park. (‘raigallian Road. .\lilriga\ie. ‘)5ti Milt).
Join the Ranger Sen rcc tor arr attcrrioori ol ltiri outdoor acri\itrcs tor .\ l3 scar t)l\l\ litkiklll‘; t‘sscllllal
Sunday Morning Family Club Sun 10 Warn-noon £5 t.ttlllll\ lrcci l’ollok House. 3000 l’ollokslra\\s Road. blb (sill) l'.tltlll_\ lurr \\llll \\ild \kigs .\ l'ab l'.tll\ i ‘0 \pi r and \rria/iirg \la/es t" \la}i \ges 5 ll Hooking required Mini Music Makers with NYCOS lllt‘ 3 \la}. ‘) ‘0 l0 |5airr t\ I0 ‘0 ll l5aiti U3 ltit sr\ “Ck‘lsS ('II} ll.tll\. ('andlct‘rggs. i5i S000 Songs and games to help )ourrgsteis dc\clop a line ol music Babies and toddlers at ‘) ‘0. i 5 _\e.it‘s at 1050
Toy Cars Sat o .\la}. l *0 3 10pm l'rce .\ltrsctriir ol lr'arrsport. Kt'|\iri Hall. I liriirlrotisc Road. 3S7 30.51 (inc )Hlll' kids their first di‘i\ mg lesson in one ol the rrttisetiiii's to} pedal cars .\ges 5 S _\ears
Music
Scottish Chamber Orchestra Young Adventurers Stiii 7 Ma}. .iprri. £0.50 t£5:; lairiil} ticket £35. ('rt} llalls. (‘aridlcriggs ‘5‘ S000, The S(’() presents a ltirr lamil} concert lcatrirriig music. film. poetr'} and ariiriiatiorr. .'\ges Stu
Theatre & Dance
The Singing Ringing Tree Sat 3‘) Apr. 3pm. £1.50 r Hr. Scottish Mask and l’tippet ('etiti‘e. .S M lialcar‘res .'\\ertue. Kebiiidale. H0 oIS5 .A\ g|o\e»prippet tale ol a prince and his quest tor a magic tree. Hansel and Gretel Sat 3‘) Apr. 3.30pm. £(i t£ ‘~ r. ('rtr/eris‘ llicalr‘e. ll‘) (ioi'bals Street. 43‘) 0033. Kipper 'l'll: present this unusual take on the popular l;iii'_\ta|e. .-\ges (H.
Hi 5: Live Action Heroes Stiii 30 Apr. I50pm t\ 3.30pm. £|0_50a£l5.50, Rtnril (‘oirccr‘t Hall. 3 Sauclrteliall Street. ‘53 S000. ('liaiiiiel 5 stars Kathleen. Natliair. ('hai'li. Tim and Kellie bring their TV slit)“ to the stage.
Stuart Little 'l'uc 3-Sat (i Ma}. times \ai'}. £l l~£l4; lamil} ticket Uri-£50. King's 'I'lieatr‘e. 307 Bath Street. 340 l l l l. SL'L‘ [lt't‘\ lt‘“. lt‘ll.
Books and Storytelling
Princess Poppy Day Sun 30 Apr. 3pm. l'il't‘t'. litri’tlt‘l's litiirks. l'tlt'l Rt‘lttll Park. 5‘)” l’r‘mari \Valk. 773 3‘)|0. Ages 4+. l)rcss tip like a princess and listen to the latest l’r'iricess l’opp} sltil‘).
Keith Charters 'l‘hu 4 Ma). l0..i0aiii. l'lL‘L‘. littl‘tlt‘l‘S litrtrkS. l‘ltll1 Rt'lttll Park. 5‘)“ l’r'o\ari \Valk. 773 3‘)|0. 'l‘hc (ilasnegiaii illlllltll' lttllllt‘llL‘S I.('(' (i‘m'v/HI‘ (in/(l. Lynne Rickards Thu 4 Ma}. | larii. l’rec. Borders Books, ‘)S Buchanan Street. 333 7700. The local author introduces her llt‘“ picture hook. .lm-A '\ Ital.
Dominic Barker \Ved l0 Ma}. lll.5ll;tlll. l'il‘L‘L‘. littl'tlel‘S Books. l'itil’l RL‘lilll l’ut'k. 5‘)” l’rotari Walk, 773 3‘)l0. The author talks abotrt his latest book. lt‘ullll‘lll‘.’ reluctant hero lilart and c\ H /.orab.
Edinburgh
Activities And Fun
Monster Creepy Crawlies Ilium—5pm i'l‘ue tiiitil Spirit; Strrr noon-5piri. £5 t£3~ £4); lamil} ticket £l5. Rinal .\ltisettm. 3 ('hairibers Street. 347 43 l‘). Take a larger than me look at the nonderlul norld of it“ L'l1c‘l1l‘ult's
Tiny Music Makers Sat 2‘) Apr. Sat l0airi. l lam tk noon. £4 t£l.50-£3r. North lidinburgh .-\rts (‘cirtre. l5a l’erirr} nell (‘otitt .H5 3|5 l. A ltin session of music making for kids aged l-3 t l0am & l lam) and 3-5 )ears inooni.
Art-tastic! Stiii 7 Ma}. noon-4pm. l‘ree. Ro}al Botanic (iardert. l{\hibition Hall. lll\L‘flL'llll Ron. 553 7l7l. (iet stuck into lots ol~ cm ironmeiitall} themed art) acti\ities. Drop-in e\eirt l'or all ages. Drama Group Thu 37 Apr. Thu 4 Ma} tk 'l'hu ll Ma}. 4.30-opm. £4 i£3-£3.50r. North lidinburgh Arts ('entre. l5a
Penn} \\ ell ('ourt. .H5 3l5l. lixplorc the e\citirig norld of theatre. Ages 10+. Children‘s Fancy Dress Party Fri 28 .-\pr. 4-8pm. Museum of ('hildhood. 43 High Street. 53‘) 4H3. l-‘anc_\ dress fun
and games - go along dressed .is _\otri raxourrtc childhood character Younger children 4-5pm. older children hrSpm Big Art Wee Hands Sat 3‘) \pr .\ Sat o .\la_\. 10 30am k | .‘~0pm £4 t£l 5tlr£3t North lidmbtii‘gh .-\l1\ Centre. 15a
l’crrir} \tell (‘otrrt. .H5 3l5l “aw .i go at a range ot \isual art media :\ges ) o
First Impressions Sat 3‘) :\pt .\ Sat o .\la_\. Ham 1 i h )ear’si t\ lprii i7 13 _\Ctll\l £1 i£l 50 £3) North l‘tillll‘lllg‘ll ;\r'ts ( 'eirttc. l5a l’errrrpxell ('otir‘t. H5 3l5l \isual ar't \sor'kshops msprted b_\ Magritte Q” .'\[)l I and l’icasso ib Ma}! Family Workshop Sun ‘0 ;\pr. :r-lplll £4 Stills. 3i('ockbtirir Street. 033 b300 l-ind otrt more about digital photograph) in this artist led session lot‘ 5 l0 )car olds and their guardians c\d\ancc booking t‘ssclllldl
Books for Babies lite 3 Ma}. I0 to
I lam l'lt‘t‘ North liditiburgli .-\its ('critre. |5a l’eiiii_\\\e|| (‘otir't. H5 3l5l. .-\ges tip to i. Stories. songs and rhymes to introduce the \cr‘_\ nee ones to books Dance Fuse lllt‘ 3 .\ lue ‘) .\la_\. -1 Spin tagt‘s ‘) l3); \Vk'kl ‘ t\ \Vt'd ll) .\l.t_\. 55llpttt rages 5 Si. £4 i£l50 £3i North lidiriburgh .-\rts ('errtre. l5a l’cnii_\\\ ell (‘oui’t. .H5 3l5l. leai'ir llt‘\\ mo\es to lurik} music in a ie|a\cd and lr‘ieiidl)
Street Dance \Ved i Ma} t\ \Ved l0 Ma}. 4. ill-5 illpm £Al i£l.50»£3i. North lidiiibui‘gh .-\rts ('eiitic. l5a l’eirir} \\ ell (‘oui't. .H5 3l5l. \Vcckl} liip hop and \ll't'cl sl}lcs \t‘SSItlll lot ttgt‘s l3 lb Dance Kids Sat o .\la_\. luaiii. I lain .\ l3..i0prii. £-l t£l.50»£3l. North ltdiiibtiigli .'\l1\ ('eirtr‘c. |5a l’t‘llll) \\ ell ('otii't. H5 3|5 1. Prepare to stamp. slide. rump and leap. |0arri arid llatii l -l )ear's. l..i(lprii: .Vli _\L'ai's.
Molecules Matter'l'uc ‘) Sun 3| Ma). l0airi (iprir. l‘i'ee. Rina! Botanic Garden llt‘llllk‘l'itlt' l’alm llouser. linerleitlr Ron. 557 55SS. l)isco\er' what makes the grass green. “hat holds tip trees and \th} riettles sting _\ou. Stiitable hit all ages,
Drama Tots ’l‘ue ‘) Ma}. Illaitll l.l5am. l'r‘ee. North liditibttr'gh :\t'ls ('eiilr'e. l5a l’enir} \t ell (‘oiirt. .H5 3l5 l. (’t‘catixe drama session ttsiirg stoi'_\tel|iitg. role pla}. music and rrioxerrrerrt lor ages IS months-3 '\Cill‘\.
Musrc
Scottish Chamber Orchestra Young Adventurers Sat (l Ma}. 3pm. £‘).50 (£5); lamil) ticket £35. Queen's llall. ('lcrk Slr'ct‘l. 003 MW. See (ilrisgou.
Books
Doodles and Tales Sim 30 Apr. 3-4prii. liree. National Portrait (Ballet). l Queen Street. 03-1 (i300. Rii};tl Sctilllslr Acadertr} Building. Stor'}tel|er Jud) Paterson and artist Juliana ('apes bring modern paintings and sculptures to lil’c. Ages 5-‘).
Berwyn Butler Hi 5 Ma}. 3pm. l'rce. Borders Books. [hit 30. lion Kirirrarrd Retail Park. 657 401 l. The Texan author reads l'rorir her next childrens' book. Hurkt I/lt‘ Hour/tnnb.
Border’s Kids Weekend Sai o a Sun 7 Ma}. times \ar). lir'ee. Borders Books. l‘ort Kinriaird. (i57 40-1]. A neekend ol animal- themed kids events including creep) craulies lrom l‘kliriburgh Butterll} World
t 1-3pm Sat) and Linda Straclian reading lroin her re-telling ol' (inn-friars Bob/n tlpm Sun).
Outside the Cities
Feshval
Big in Falkirk Sat 3‘) Apr. noon-l lptri. (‘allendar l’ark & VarioUs. l’alkirk'. (H.134 503770. Scotland's national street arts festival with liremirks. Me music. coined} and children's actii ities.
Books
Blast-Off Books Mini May Fest Sat 3‘) Apr-Mon I Ma). Times tar}. £4 per actix'it). House ()lllie Binns. Linlithgou. 0|73l 733503. Festival dedicated to literature for little ones with a bumper prograinrn: ol storytelling and actbities. ('all 0l506 844645 for the lull programme.