Kids
HITLIST Events are listed
THE BEST KIDS’ STUFF
Charlie & Lola’s Best Bestest Play It’s virtually impossible not to like the TV version of Lauren Child’s picture books – and this stage show is equally irresistible. Expect dancing dogs, milk-loving tigers and an ogre in the wardrobe. Macrobert, Stirling, Tue 5–Wed 6 Apr; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 13–Sat 16 Apr
James Campbell He was funny before, but since James Campbell became a dad, his Comedy 4 Kids show is even more chaotically spot on. Perfect for ages 6+ and their grown-ups. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 9 Apr.
Clockwork Acclaimed theatre company Visible Fictions teams up with Scottish Opera for this new take on Philip Pullman’s illustrated novel. See preview. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 13–Sat 16 Apr.
Edinburgh International Science Festival From the beautiful ‘World of Bubbles’ to the less appealing, but no doubt fascinating, ‘Why is Snot Green’ and ‘Pongy Potions’, this year’s Science Festival has a remarkably diverse line- up for children and families. See the full programme at sciencefestival.co.uk Various venues, Edinburgh, 9–22 Apr.
Puppet Animation Festival A colourful array of puppet theatre and animation at this truly eclectic festival. See puppetanimationfestival.org. Various venues, 2–26 Apr.
Is This A Dagger?: The Story of Macbeth The always impressive Wee Stories theatre gives its dramatic and witty take on the Scottish play. The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Sun 10 Apr.
Northern Streams: Children’s Folklore Session A fun journey
through Scottish, Norse and Slavic traditions, featuring music, song and dance. The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Sat 2 Apr.
Shaun the Sheep in Shaun’s Big Show See preview. Edinburgh Playhouse,
Wed 6–Sat 9 Apr. 74 THE LIST 31 Mar–28 Apr 2011
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to kids@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor.
GLASGOW Activities & Fun FREE Saturday Art Club Special Sat 2 Apr, 10.30am. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Make some colourful bunting. FREE Hands-On Sunday Sun 3 Apr, 1pm. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Games, art and interactive fun. Baby Loves Disco Sun 3 Apr, 2pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Mansion House, The Glasshouse, 20 Glassford Street, 07986 527947. Kids (ages 6 months–7 years) can get their groove on with bubble machines, face-painting, snacks, and a chillout zone. FREE First Sunday Club Sun 3 Apr, 2pm. St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, 553 2557. New kids’ club with arty fun and the chance to handle historical objects. Singing and Songwriting Week Mon 4–Fri 8 Apr, 10am & 2pm. £50. Langside Halls, 5 Langside Avenue, Shawlands,
Clockwork
07983 588675. An Easter singing and songwriting workshop for ages 8–11 (at 10am) and 12–18 (at 2pm). Be Inspired! Mon 4–Fri 8 Apr & Mon 11–Fri 15 Apr, noon. £120 for the week (discounts for siblings available). Orchardhill Parish Church, 12 Church Road, Giffnock, 07885 426547. Two week-long courses to keep musically minded kids busy during the Easter holidays, each culminating in a performance. Can You See Me? Thu 7 Apr, 9.30am. £19. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. Outdoor activity course for ages 9–12 involving wildlife tracking, survival skills and camouflage. FREE Wish You Were Here? Thu 7 & 14 Apr, 1pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Nitshill, 276 9300. Travel the world within the four walls of the centre, and make a postcard inspired by your travels. Age 7+. FREE Easter Extravaganza Fri 8 Apr, 1pm. Mackintosh Church, Queen’s Cross 870 Garscube Road, 946 6600. An Easter egg hunt plus seasonal arts and crafts. FREE Discover! Myths and Legends Sat 9 Apr, 11am & 1.30pm; Sun 10 Apr, 1pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. The old stories are the best, and the objects in the museum tell plenty of tales. Drop-in programme of tours and workshops. Ages 4–11. Wriggle, Shake and Groove Mon 11–Fri 15 Apr, 10am, 11am & noon. £3 per session. Eastwood Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. Energetic movement classes for little ones, with different styles and moves each day. ‘Baby Wrigglers’ (ages 0–2) at 10am, ‘Wee Shakers’ (ages 3–4) at 11am and ‘Young Groovers’ (ages 5–6) at noon. Time Travellers Sat 16 Apr, 2pm. £2 (children £1.50). Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Experience school life in the Victorian era, World War II and the swinging 60s. Funky Rod Puppets Sun 17 Apr & 24 Apr, 1pm. £tbc. Grosvenor Café, The Grosvenor Theatre, Ashton Lane, 0845 166 6028. The Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre brings its crafty skills to the Grosvenor’s regular family afternoons, with all the bits and bobs you’ll need to make a characterful wee puppet. Cadbury Easter Egg Trail Sun 24 & Mon 25 Apr, noon. Trail £2 + House entry £6 (£5). Holmwood House, 61–63 Netherlee Road Cathcart, 571 0184. Children’s entertainment and a trail with chocolate eggs to be won.
STAGE ADAPTATION CLOCKWORK Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 13–Sat 16 Apr, then touring
When Visible Fictions’ and Scottish Opera’s re- working of Clockwork opens this month, it will be the fifth stage adaptation of the book in seven years. Philip Pullman’s fairytale novel, known for its complex story within a story, clearly lights a flame inside theatre-makers. ‘I think there’s something wonderfully theatrical about it as a novel,’ says Visible Fictions’ artistic director Douglas Irvine. ‘And the thing about Philip Pullman is he doesn’t shy away from complicated stuff, and won’t give you simple answers, which is lovely.’ Set in a small German town during what Pullman
calls ‘the old days’, the tale centres on a lazy apprentice clockmaker, who fails in his duty to create a figure for the town clock – and ends up making a chilling pact to save face. Fusing music and song, puppetry and live action, the show is the first collaboration between Visible Fictions and Scottish Opera, with both companies keen to bring all the themes in Pullman’s story to life.
‘Ultimately, it’s a Faustian tale,’ says Irvine. ‘It’s about how far you will go, what pacts you will make, to get what you want. But I think what Pullman also says in the book is that the thing that redeems us all, is love – and that’s what we’re clearly left with at the end. He’s also raising all sorts of side issues, about scientific ethics, animatronics and genetics, but in a very accessible way.’ (Kelly Apter)