list.co.uk/kids KIDS
Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4956. Eastwood Entertainers present a classic Christmas panto that’s full of beans. The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot Thu 4 Dec–Sun 4 Jan, times vary. £9.50 (children £5.50; family £25). The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. The feelgood tale of a young boy who doesn’t enjoy Christmas or exchanging gifts . . . until the tradition suddenly disappears. Ages 3–8.
✽Glimmer Sat 6–Sun 21 Dec, times vary. £6–£12 (£8; family £32).
Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. See preview, page 66. The Three Little Pigs Tue 9--Mon 22 Dec, times vary. £12 (£5; children £6). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. The wolf has blown down their houses and the three pigs are forced to take their Christmas elsewhere. Ages 5+.
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 Come to the Gallery with Katie Fridays–Wednesdays,10am–5pm. Thursdays, 10am–7pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Exhibition of James Mayhew illustrations, marking 25 years of Katie books. Have your photo taken with Katie before she climbs into another painting. Firefly Yoga for Youth Thursdays, 4–5pm & 5–6pm. £5 (eight classes £40). Studio D, The Basement, 4 Hutchinson
Terrace, 07841 539336. See Glasgow, Activities & Fun. FREE Create Fridays, 2.15–4pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. Drop-in arts and crafts. Mosaic, sculpture and textiles for ages 7–14. Schiltron Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov, 11.15am,12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. See how the Scots of the 15th century fought with pikes in schiltrons, and have a go yourself.
✽FREE Santa Land Fri 21 Nov– Sun 4 Jan, times vary. East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street. A host of Christmas festivities for wee people. Visit Santa’s Grotto, the Christmas Tree Maze, a children’s market and family- friendly rides such as the Santa Train, North Pole Slide, Race-a-Rama, Swan Lake, Reindeer Ride and a rollercoaster. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
✽Santa Cruise Sat 29 Nov–Sun 22 Dec, 10am,12.30pm, 2pm &
3.30pm. £10 (under 12 months free). Re-Union Canal Boats, Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge, 261 8529. A cruise from Edinburgh Quay to celebrate the festive season with games, songs, craft and a wee visit from the man himself. The 12 Elves of Christmas Elf Hunt Mon 1 Dec–Wed 24 Dec, 9.30am– 4.30pm. £5 per family. Serenity Cafe, The Tun, 8 Jackson Entry, 111 Holyrood Road, 556 8765. Follow this story of the 12 elves of Christmas and see if you can find them hiding in the nooks and crannies of the Royal Mile. Self-guided activity with story book Santa’s Grotto, Sleigh Rides and Soft Play Sat 6–Sun 22 Dec, Sat & Sun 10am & 1.30pm. £10. Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, South Platt Hill Newbridge, Ratho, 333 6333.
S T E V E U L L A T H O R N E
18 months–4 years. Happy Ears Saturdays, 10–10.50am. £5. Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, 07778 117333. Live interactive music classes, for ages 0–3 and parents, with lots of instruments and no pre- recorded music. Saturday classes are drop-in, no extra cost for other siblings.
✽Children’s Classic Concerts and the RSNO: Deck the Halls with Owen and Olly Sun 7 Dec, 3pm. £6–£15. Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. See Glasgow, Music.
Theatre & Dance The Voice Thief Fri 14 Nov, 7.30pm. Sat 15 Nov, 2pm & 7.30pm. £12 (£8). Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, 560 1581. Catherine Wheels presents a new promenade show about the mysterious ‘Voice Facility’ which removes the voices of ‘troublesome’ girls. Ages 9+.
✽Stick Man Sat 22 Nov–Sun 4 Jan, times vary. £15–£18.50 (£13–£15.50;
family £46-£56). St Andrew Square, 0844 545 8252 . See preview, left. Ages 3+. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas. Aladdin Sat 29 Nov–Sun 18 Jan, times vary. £14–£30 (£11–£27). King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, 529 6000. Panto veterans Grant Stott, Andy Gray and Allan Stewart take to the stage to present this popular tale, with special effects. The Singing Kettle: Big Christmas Party Sun 30 Nov, 1.30pm & 4pm. £14. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. Singalong favourites and audience participation aplenty from the Kettle gang as they head out on their final tour.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES ✽Too Many Penguins? Tue 2— Sun 28 Dec, times vary. £8.50.
macrobert, University of Stirling, 01786 466666. A show that packs fun, laughs, entertainment and penguins into the mix. Suitable for ages 1–4.
Board a festive sleigh to meet Santa in his Christmas grotto. Edinburgh Santa Toddle & Parade Sun 7 Dec, 1–3.30pm. children £5; accompanying adults free. Inverleith Park, Arboretum Place, 208 2500. Join Santa and his reindeer on a festive parade. Ages 6 and under. Books & Storytelling FREE Mrs Mash: The Storyteller Cook Mondays, 10.30–11am. The Skylark, 241–243 High Street, 629 3037. Mrs Mash serves up delicious stories and songs for ages 4+. Mac’s Munchkins Tuesdays, 10am & 3pm. children £2. Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road, 337 4202. Farm-themed story telling, crafts, play group and songs. Group meets at the Red Tractor Alien Adventures Sat 15 Nov, 2–3.30pm. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Hear about astronomical adventures and create an alien of your own to take away. FREE Storytelling – Stargazing Stories Sun 23 Nov, 2–3pm. Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, 624 6200. Stories and music from Marion Kenny for ages 7+ Mrs Mash: The Storyteller Cook Sat 29 Nov, 10.30–11.30am. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. See above. Tiny Tales Tue 9 Dec, 10–10.40am & 11.30am–12.10pm. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories, rhymes and songs for wee (and not so wee) ears. Ages 1–3.
Music Disco Duck Wednesdays, 9.45– 10.15am. £2 for first class; £24 for a further 6 weeks. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. A pre-school dance experience designed to increase kids self-esteem, coordination, concentration and balance whilst boogieing to catchy tunes. Ages
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STAGE ADAPTATION STICK MAN St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Nov–Sun 4 Jan
They may be the perfect bedtime companion, but Julia Donaldson’s picture books have also proved to be ripe for adaptation. While Tall Stories have taken on The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and Room on the Broom, Scamp Theatre have done an equally fine job bringing Stick Man to the stage. Last seen in Edinburgh during the Fringe, the show is returning as
part of the Christmas lineup in St Andrew Square. ‘There’s a simplicity and honesty about Julia’s work,’ says actor and musician Gordon Cooper, who takes on the fun but demanding role of the one-man- band. ‘She chose something so ordinary as a stick for this book, and yet she manages to make it come to life. It’s something that kids deal with potentially everyday in the park, so they can respond to it.’ As fans of the book know, the story follows Stick Man, his ‘Lady
Love’ and three offspring, all of whom live in the Family Tree. Venturing out into the world, Stick Man encounters a dog keen to play with him, a swan who spots his potential for nest material, and a hungry bonfire.
For Cooper, who has spent the past 12 Christmases working in panto, the prospect of a show for little ones holds much appeal. ‘It will be novel not to dress up in a frock and tights,’ he says. ‘But I love Christmas shows because people arrive already in the spirit, so you’re off to a flying start. And shows like this are all about energy: you throw it out, but you also get it back .’ (Kelly Apter)
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 1pm & 3pm Saturday 6th December 2014 Usher Hall, Edinburgh 3pm Sunday 7th December 2014 Fa-la-la along with Owen and Olly at the ultimate Christmas party concert!
Tickets from £6
“serious commitment to making music fun” - The Herald www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk
13 Nov–11 Dec 2014 THE LIST 67