KIDS
Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Interactive storytelling of The Enormous Turnip for families with under 7s. FREE Spooktacular Stories Thu 16 Oct, 2–3.30pm. Dennistoun Library, 2a Craigpark, 276 0768. See Glasgow, Books & Storytelling FREE Storytelling Session Sun 19 Oct, 12.15pm, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm & 3.15pm. Ibrox Subway Station, 124 Copland Road, spt.co.uk The Village Storytelling Centre spin tales and yarns. Part of Subway Family Fun Day. FREE Hallowe’en Extravaganza Fri 31 Oct, 6.30–8pm. The Village Storytelling Centre, St James’ Parish Church, 183 Meiklerig Crescent, 882 3025. Ghost stories and games galore. Family Storytime Sat 1 & Sun 2 Nov, 10.30am & 12.30pm £5 (family £15; babies and under 1s free). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. See Glasgow, Storytelling. This week’s story The Wee Bannock.
Music FREE Sing Out Children’s Choir Tuesdays, 3.30–5pm. St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church, 353–355 Kilmarnock Road, Newlands, 636 1131. A new choir for kids aged P4–7 who want to get into singing and musical fun.
✽Big Ears, Little Ears Sun 26 Oct, 11.30am & 1.30pm. £5 for one adult and one child (additional children/ adults £3 each). Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. The SCO plays a short concert of much-loved classics in a baby-friendly environment Baby Loves Disco Sun 2 Nov, 1pm. £8.94. Hummingbird, 186 Bath Street, 07986 527947. Babies, pre-schoolers and their parents enjoy some dayclubbing.
✽Children’s Classic Concerts: The Monsters’ Ball Sat 1 Nov,
3–4pm. £10 (children £6; family £29). Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. A spooky concert for all the family. Sprog Rock Wed 12 Nov, 11am. £5 (family £15). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4956. Interactive music gig for children and adults. Suitable for under 5s.
Festival Magipup Festival Wed 15 Oct–Sun 19 Oct, Times vary. Prices vary. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Nine days of magic, puppet shows and workshops.
✽FREE Subway Family Fun Day Sun 19 Oct, 12–4pm. Various venues:
Glasgow, spt.co.uk All aboard the Glasgow subway for a day of free kids activities with storytelling sessions, arts & crafts, a balloon modeller, a magician and face painting.
Theatre & Dance The Wonderful World of Magic by Alan’s Magic Fri 17 Oct, 2pm. £6.50 (£5.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Alan needs plenty of little helpers to make his magical mayhem work. Festival Afternoon Sun 19 Oct, 2pm. £7.95 (children £7.50). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Sokobauno, Tilly and the Ogre by Trolley Theatre and Mick Magic’s tricks / balloon modelling. The Raven Wed 29 Oct–Fri 31 Oct, 7.30pm. £13 (£10). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4956. Superhero musical telling the tale of Metrogoth city, which is under the tyranny of a new criminal mastermind. Wizzi Wizard’s Hallowe’en Haunting Party Night Fri 31 Oct, 7pm. £8.50 (children £7.50). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Hallowe’en magic show. Wild Heather Sun 2 Nov–Wed 12 Nov, 1.30pm. £7.50 (family £24). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Variation on
72 THE LIST 16 Oct–13 Nov 2014
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PROMENADE PERFORMANCE THE VOICE THIEF Summerhall, Edinburgh, Sat 1–Sat 15 Nov
Got a troublesome daughter? A wife or girlfriend who speaks her mind a little too freely? A sister who won’t shut up? Venture along to Summerhall this November and, for a small fee, the annoying female in your life can be rendered speechless.
It’s a flippant idea, but Catherine Wheels’ new show, The Voice Thief, was born out of a very real concern for how women are silenced. While the horror stories relayed from other parts of the world may feel far from home, as the show’s director, Gill Robertson points out, ‘There’s still a real gender difference in the way women’s voices are heard, and what’s expected of them.’ Aimed at ages 9 +, The Voice Thief is more fairytale than political
theatre, however, with Robertson keen for the show to have ‘a universal message’. She describes the eponymous protagonist as ‘a kind of Willy Wonka character’, who runs the Institute for Vocal Harmony. ‘Girls’ voices are sent to him in jars from around the world,’ explains Robertson, ‘to be edited in some way, so they can go back to being nice and polite, and not confrontational or difficult.’
What the doctor hasn’t reckoned on, however, is his 17-year-old
daughter finding a voice of her own. ‘She respects her father and thinks he’s a genius,’ says Robertson, ‘but she’s also beginning to question him and try to find her own way.’
Taking place in eight different rooms in the atmospheric basement of
Summerhall, The Voice Thief may have an important statement to make, but it also promises audiences a good time. ‘The show is really good fun,’ says Robertson. ‘And because it’s a promenade piece , we take people into the “listening room” and “quarantine area”, show them operations happening – it’s an adventure.’ (Kelly Apter)
the Cinderella fable. Ages 3–7. Oscar And the Deep Sea Pearl Sat 8 Nov, 2pm & 4pm. £6.50 (children £5.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Mousetale Puppets present Oscar the Mouse in an exciting underwater adventure. Ages 3+.
EDINBURGH
Activities & Fun FREE Lyceum Youth Theatre Wednesdays, 3.45–5.15pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. The Lyceum’s creative learning team lead a fun drama session for ages 11–16.
✽FREE Family Arts Day: The Big Draw Fri 17 Oct, 10am–4pm. Royal
Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Arts activities for the whole family – with a BFG theme. A Spooky Hallowe’en Windowscape Fri 17 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30– 3.30pm. £5. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 228 1155. Design and create a scary 2D windowscape. Ghoulish Glitter Globes Sun 19 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm. £5. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 228 1155. Like a snow globe but for Hallowe’en. Bring a jam jar and make a spooky scene. Sing and Sign Mondays, 11–11.40am. £65 for a ten week block per family. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. Signing and singing with babies using fun songs and familiar themes. Ages 7–16 months
Art Classes for Parents with Babies Mondays, 11am–1pm. £6.50. Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road, 447 4520. Paint your child and create baby clothes and nursery decor. Mini French Music Tuesdays, 10am. £35. Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, 661 0880. Sing, play and story sessions to teach French to ages 0–4. Course runs 21 Oct–25 Nov. Art Classes for Parents with Babies Tuesdays, 10.30am–12.30pm. £6.50. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. See above. Battlement to Battlefield Wed 22 & Thu 23 Oct, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Meet one of Robert the Bruce’s foot soldiers and learn about weapons used by medieval soldiers. FREE Create Fri 24 Oct, 31 Oct & 7 Nov, 2.15–4pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. Drop-in arts and crafts including mosaic, sculpture and textiles for ages 7–14. Spooky Castle Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct, 10am–1pm. £7. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 228 1155. For Hallowe’en, explore the frightening forests and create some ghoulish crafts. Hallowe’en Spooktacular Children’s Party Thu 30 Oct, 4–6pm. £11. Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road, 667 7211. Soft play, a disco, animal handling and games. Hallowe’en Spooktacular Children’s Party Fri 31 Oct, 3–5pm. £11. Tumbles at Portobello Gymnastics and Softplay Centre, 20 Westbank Street, 669 0878. Soft
play, an entertainer, snacks and games. Enrichment Day Sat 1 Nov, 10am–3pm. Included in entry. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Make objects in the morning and see what the animals make of them in the afternoon. The Story of the Woodland by Night Sat 8 Nov, 10.30am–12.30pm. £5. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 228 1155. Make a framed picture of night- time woodland scenes with fairy lights and secret animals. Books & Storytelling Fairies, Goblins and Giants Sat 18 Oct, 1.30–4pm. children £10; accompanying adult free. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories and puppet making with a fairytale theme. Ages 6—10. FREE Blackwell’s Children’s Book Group Mon 20 Oct, 6–7pm. Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8218. An hour of friendly chat about books for ages 8–11. FREE Tales of a Granny Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct, 11am–1pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Storytelling sessions designed to introduce under 5s, parents and carers to the riches of Scotland’s story. Part of Scottish International Storytelling Festival. FREE Down at the Farm Sun 26 Oct, 11.30am & 1.30pm. (donations welcome). Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road, 337 4202. Storyteller Rosie Mapplebeck shares some animal tales. Part of Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Tiny Tales Tue 11 Nov, 10–10.40am & 11.30am–12.10pm. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories and songs. Ages 1–3.
Music Disco Duck Wednesdays, 1.45–2.15pm. £2 for first class; £24 for a further 6 weeks. Inch Park Community Sports Club, 227 Gilmerton Road, 664 3511. A preschool dance experience. Ages 18 months–4 years old. Baby Loves Disco Sun 26 Oct, 1pm. £8.94. Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 07986 527947. See Glasgow, Music Pop Lock-In Fri 31 Oct, 2pm. £8.94– £11.45. Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 226 4224. See Glasgow, Music. Happy Ears Sat 1 Nov & 8 Nov, 10–10.50am. £5. Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, 07778 117333. Drop-in interactive music classes, for ages 0–3 and their parents.
✽Children’s Classic Concerts: The Monsters’ Ball Sun 2 Nov, 3–4pm. £10 (children £6; family £29). Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. See Glasgow, Music.
Theatre & Dance FREE Searching for The Wishing Line Fri 17 Oct, 4pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. Performance by Venezuelan clown/multimedia artist Saras Feijoo. Free but ticketed. Part of Hispanic Festival.
✽Charlie And Lola’s Extremely New Play Sat 18 & Sun 19 Oct, 11am,
1.30pm & 4pm. £12–£15. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. The brother and sister duo are back with a brand new play about friendship.
✽Tales of a Grandson Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct, 2.30–6.45pm. £15 (£10).
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 See preview, page 71. Part of Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
✽The Voice Thief Sat, Sat 8 & Sat 15 Nov, 2pm & 7.30pm. Sun 2 Nov,
11am & 3pm. Sun 9 Nov 11am & 7.30pm. Fri 7 Nov & Fri 14 Nov, 7.30pm. £12 (£8). Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, 560 1581. See preview, left. Ages 9+.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Theatre & Dance ✽Tales of a Grandson Sat 18 Oct, 2pm. £10. Macrobert, University of
Stirling, Stirling, 01786 466666. See preview, page 71.