KIDS
Books & Storytelling Eureka! Ancient Greece and its Brilliant Scientific Discoveries Sat 23 Mar, 11–11.45am. £6 (£4). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling and puppetry. Ages 3–5.
✽ Sleepover Under the Stars Sat 23 Mar, 6.45pm–8.30am. £35 per person. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, 624 6200. See preview, page 79. FREE Meet the Ancestors: Indian Stories and Henna Hand Art Sun 24 Mar, 2–2.45pm & 3–3.45pm. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, 624 6200. Indian stories from Saeema Hayat and henna hand art from Nila Joshi. Ages 4–12. FREE Picture Kelpies Storytelling Day Sat 13 Apr, 10.30—11am, 11.30am—noon, 1.30–2pm & 2.30–3pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 337 2372. Storytelling sessions celebrating the latest additions to the Picture Kelpies series. Ages 3–6.
Theatre & Dance Rapunzel Sat 23 Mar, 11am. £4 (£3; local residents £2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Beloved story narrated by a chatty frog. Ages 3+. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Celeste’s Circus Sat 23 Mar, 2–2.35pm & 3.30–4.05pm. £8 (£6). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Enthralling show for little circus lovers. Ages 0–5. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Pied Piper Sat 23 Mar, 2.30pm. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, 669 8432. Classic tale of the musician who helps Hamelin get rid of its pests. Briar Rose Mon 25 Mar, 2.30pm. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, 669 8432. Folding Theatre puppet company bring the tale to life. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Faerie Stories Mon 25 Mar, 3–3.45pm. £8 (£6). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Magical blend of storytelling, music and puppetry. Ages 6–11. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. The Magic Horse Tue 26 Mar, 11am. £4 (£3; local residents £2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. The Scottish tale of a young man who exchanges his old mare for a black stallion. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. The Scarecrow and the Lost Sister Wed 27 Mar, 11–11.50am & 2–2.50pm. £6 (£4). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Double bill of puppetry and sketches. Ages 3+. Oscar And the Deep Sea Pearl Wed 27 Mar, 11am. £1.50. Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, 5 Moredunvale Place, 672 2629. Oscar the Mouse embarks on an exciting underwater adventure. Ages 3+. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Celeste’s Circus Thu 28 Mar, 11am. £1.50. Valley Park Community Centre, 37 Southhouse Road, puppetanimationfestival.org. See above. Willie the Wicked Wolf Fri 29 Mar, 11am. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, 669 8432. A very non-traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood. Ages 5+. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Willie the Wicked Wolf Sat 30 Mar, 11am. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn
72 THE LIST 21 Mar–18 Apr 2013
LIVE SHOW CBEEBIES LIVE: JUSTIN & FRIENDS Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Mon 8 & Tue 9 Apr.
If they were handing out titles in CBeebies land, it’s a fairly safe bet that Justin Fletcher would be crowned king. Appointed an MBE for his services to children’s broadcasting in 2008, Fletcher is currently playing stadiums across the UK in the first CBeebies Live show with his name above the door. But although the title says Justin & Friends, in true Fletcher style, many of those ‘friends’ are actually him in a wig/dress/red nose. Which makes for a lot of quick costume changes back stage. But according to one of the genuine ‘friends’ appearing in the show, Nina of Nina and the Neurons (aka Scottish actor Katrina Bryan), Fletcher won’t be fazed by it.
‘Justin never ceases to amaze me,’ says Bryan. ‘He takes everything in his stride, and after working at CBeebies for so many years, he’s so experienced. I’m sure he’ll just revel in the excitement of it all.’
Part of the secret of Fletcher’s success is his slightly maverick approach to trying new things, including
the creation of comedy sketch show, Gigglebiz, and the various Tumble characters from Something Special.
‘Over the years Justin’s been given the freedom to develop the comedy side of things,’ says Bryan. ‘So
he’s developed these characters, which can be quite surreal and random. Some people might have thought he was taking a chance, but they’ve been on the money every time and kids just love them.’ During the show, Bryan and fellow CBeebies co-stars Andy Day and Katy Ashworth help Fletcher and his
myriad of characters prepare for a special visitor to Justin’s House. ‘Nina helps him come up with an idea for a show to welcome the guest,’ explains Bryan, ‘but of course it doesn’t all go according to plan . . .’ (Kelly Apter)
Grove, 458 3267. See above. It’s Raining Cats and Dogs Sat 30 Mar, 11am–noon & 3–4pm. £6 (£4). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. A heartwarming tale of the love between a dog and a cat. Ages 4–8. Louis Pearl: The Greatest Bubble Show on Earth The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 4pm. £8. Gentle, stunning bubble show suitable for kids and adults. The Magic Horse Mon 1 Apr, 11am. £4 (£3; local residents £2). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. See above.
Rapunzel Tue 2 Apr, 11am. £4 (children £3). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. See above. Briar Rose Wed 3 Apr, 11am. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. See above. Celeste’s Circus Thu 4 Apr, 11am. £4 (£3; local residents £2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. See above.
✽ Dora the Explorer Live Fri 5 Apr, 4pm. Sat 6 & Sun 7
Apr, 10am & 1pm. £17–£19. King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, 529 6000. A
live musical adventure with Dora! Pied Piper Sat 6 Apr, 11am & 2.30pm. £4 (£2; local residents £1.50). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. See above.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES Activities & Fun Let’s Dance Festival Thu 21–Sat 23 Mar, times vary. Prices vary. macrobert, University of Stirling, Stirling, 01786 466666. Fearless dance performances along with a number of workshops to get everyone moving and shaking (not just the professionals!)