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PREVIEW CHRISTMAS SHOW THE BEAUTY OF SLEEPING WOOD The Old Sheriff Court, Glasgow, until 24 Dec
With the ubiquitous run of Aladdins, Sleeping Beauties and Cinderellas doing the rounds at this time of year, it’s nice to see somebody mixing things up a little. The Beauty of Sleeping Wood is in fact based on the well-loved tale of Sleeping Beauty, but Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT) is putting its own slant on it.
‘We didn’t want to just tell the story of Sleeping Beauty,’ says director, Mary McCluskey. ‘We wanted it to be a wee bit different and interactive as well, so we start at the end of the story when the princess wakes up and wants to find out what happened to her.’ Featuring some of the most talented young people attending SYT’s
classes in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, the production gives both actors and technical crew valuable experience of staging a show. ‘They’re all either in their final year at school, on a gap year or at university or college,’ explains McCluskey. ‘We call the company SYT Productions, and see it as a pre-professional training group.’
Aimed at ages 3-7, The Beauty of Sleeping Wood uses music, storytelling and audience interaction to drive the piece along, including some tried and tested methods carved from SYT’s weekly classes. ‘I think younger audiences in particular like to feel involved,’ says McCluskey. ‘And because we deliver classes for children aged 3 upwards, we decided to use some of our workshop skills in the theatre to get the young folk up on their feet and help tell the story.’ (Kelly Apter)
Santa’s Grotto Sat 13, Sun 14, Sat 20 & Sun 21 Dec, 10am–6pm. £5 (includes present). Deep Sea World, North Queensferry, 01383 411880. See Santa in his grotto next to the piranha tank. Santa’s Secret Village Sat 13 & Sun 14 Dec & Sat 20–Wed 24 Dec, 11.50am–6.30pm; Wed 11.50am–4.30pm. £8 (children £4.25; family £21.50). The Falkirk Wheel, Tamfour Hill, Falkirk, 08700 500208. Santa invites visitors to his special village at The Wheel. Booking essential. Rocking Rascals Christmas Special Sat 13 Dec, 2–5pm. £6 (non- dancing children free; family £25). Code Nightclub, 18–20 Westport, Linlithgow. Afternoon disco for tots aged 1–7. Tickets from www.thebooth.co.uk Supersonic Christmas Sat 20–Wed 24 Dec, noon–4pm. £5.50 (£4.50; children £5 inc gift from Santa). National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, 01620 897240. Visit Santa in his jet stream aeroplane. Booking recommended. FREE Green Christmas Sun 21 Dec, 11am–4pm. National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, 0845 345 4978. Environmentally friendly Christmas craft activities (1–3pm) and a chance to decorate the Wishing Tree.
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Christmas day out for families with children aged 6+. FREE Christmas Circus Skills with Big Top Sun 21 Dec, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm & 3.45pm. National Museum of Scotland, 2 Chambers Street, 247 4422. Clown around and learn some circus skills. FREE Bags of Art Sun 21 Dec, 2–4pm. National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, 624 6200. Collect a bag of activities, then explore the collection and create your own artwork. Ages 3–12. FREE Surrealist Drawing Experiences! Sat 27 Dec, 10am–noon & 1–3pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3963. Learn how the Surrealists used their dreams to paint crazily creative works, then try your hand at it. Booking required. Ages 4+. FREE Christmas Art Competition Sat 27–Tue 30 Dec, 10am–5pm. National Museum of Scotland, 2 Chambers Street, 247 4422. Get inspired by the Museum’s collections, then enter their annual Art Competition. Basic materials provided but you’re welcome to bring your own. FREE Junk Satellite Sculptures Tue 30 Dec, 10am–noon & 1–3pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3963. Use recycled materials to make incredible space satellites. Book in advance. Ages 4+. FREE Zany Drawing Day Sat 3 Jan, 10am–noon & 1–3pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3963. Make your own wacky drawings using different materials. Drop-in event. Ages 4+. FREE Art-tastic: Birds of Paradise Sun 4 Jan, noon–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Transform your old wrapping paper into beautiful birds of paradise. Festival Edinburgh’s Christmas Until Sun 4 Jan, times & prices vary. Various Venues. Edinburgh gets its glitter on for a packed festive season featuring ice rinks, Victorian fairgrounds, the Big Wheel, festive markets, concerts, shows, Santa and lots more. Visit www.edinburghschristmas.com.
Music Children’s Classic Concerts: Sleigh Ride Sun 14 Dec, 1pm & 3pm. £6–£29. Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. See Glasgow. Theatre and Dance The Tiger who Came to Tea Fri 12 & Sat 13 Dec, Tue 16–Sat 20 Dec, Mon 22–Wed 24 Dec & Sat 27 Dec, 11am. £11. Playhouse, 18–22 Greenside Place, 0870 606 3424. Judith Kerr’s much-loved children’s book is given a magical, musical stage interpretation. Ages 3+.
Jolly Jango Christmas 11–14, 19–24, 26–31 Dec & 2–4 Jan, 11am. 1 Jan, noon. Spiegeltent, Winter Wonderland, East Princes Street Gardens, 0131 529 3914. £5 (under 5s £2.50). Book online at www.edinburghschristmas.com. See preview, left.
Books FREE Books for Babies Wed 7 Jan, 10.30am. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Stories, songs and rhymes to introduce very wee ones to books. Ages 0–5 years. Storytelling FREE Talking Trees Storytelling Sun 14 & 21 Dec, 2–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, 248 2968. Talking Trees transports you to a magical land far away. Suitable for ages 5+. FREE Talking Trees – Grotto Tales Fri 12 Dec, 2–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Enter the magical grotto for Christmassy tales. Ages 7+. Round the Tree Sat 13, Sat 20 & Wed 24 Dec, 1.30pm & 3pm. £4 (£3; family ticket £12). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Hear stories from Frances Logan and puppeteer Ian Turbitt. Recommended for ages 4–8. Tiny Tales Tue 16 Dec, 10am & 11.30am. £3 (accompanying adults free). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories, rhymes and songs for ages 6mths–3 yrs. The Daft Days Mon 29–Wed 31 Dec, 2pm & 3.30pm. £4 (£3; family ticket £12). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Silly stories for the holidays for children aged 4–8 and their families.
Outside the Cities Activities and Fun Santa at Almond Valley Until Wed 24 Dec, Sat/Sun (also Mon 22–Wed 24 Dec), 10am–5pm. £5 (£3.50). Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield, Livingston, 01506 414957. Visit Santa, receive a Christmas present and join in with the Christmas crafts. The New Lanark Christmas Experience Until Wed 24 Dec, Sat/Sun (also Mon 22–Wed 24 Dec), 11am–5pm. £8.50 (family ticket £30–£40). New Lanark Visitor Centre, New Lanark, 01555 661345. Festive celebration including a pantomime (1pm & 3pm), a magical Christmas ride and Santa’s grotto. Victorian Christmas Sat 13 & 20 Dec, 11am & 2pm. £tbc. Callendar House, Falkirk, 01324 503770. Dress up and help a busy cook prepare Christmas food, then listen to The Night Before Christmas and decorate your own stocking.