list.co.uk/kids Previews | KIDS
DANCE BIG FISH LITTLE FISH La Belle Angèle, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Apr, Sat 21 May, Sat 25 Jun; Drygate Brewery, Glasgow, Sun 29 May
‘Responsible irresponsibility’ is how Big Fish Little Fish founder Hannah Saunders describes her family raves, aimed at children aged 0–8 and their carers. ‘It’s for old clubber parents with young kids which is a massively inclusive demographic, as the old raves always were,’ says Saunders. ‘There's a lovely vibe of people enjoying the music with their family, all relaxed and friendly. Babies can chill in the baby area, older ones like making things in the craft area and everyone loves the dance l oor action with bubbles, glitter and our legendary parachute dance.’ Saunders started Big Fish Little Fish in London in 2013 as a fun activity for her own family, and it’s since spread across the UK. After March’s launch event in Edinburgh, April’s has already sold out, but there are further themed dates in May (the ‘Dream a Little Dream Pyjama Party’) and June (the ‘Glastonbury Rave’). It’s been so popular that Scottish managers Kirstie and Liam have already moved their bi-monthly schedule at La Belle Angèle up to monthly, and arranged their i rst date in Glasgow (‘Intergalactic Planetary Rave’). There will also be Edinburgh festival events in their temporary Studio 24 home.
It’s not just the sense of inter-generational fun that has built Big Fish Little Fish’s reputation, but the quality of the music: Tom Middleton, Alex Paterson of The Orb, DJ Food, Terry Farley, Coldcut, Plex, Portishead’s Andy Smith and Mixmaster Morris have all played.
‘Many of them enjoy playing it because they get to
show off to their children what they do for a living,’ says Saunders. ‘It’s about sharing the love of dance music across generations, including house, rave, drum’n’bass, techno, hip hop, jungle, UK garage and disco, but nothing that’s too charty or kiddii ed. Children love drum’n’bass and the tweak of a 303.’ (David Pollock)
DRAMA LEAF BY NIGGLE Festival Theatre Studio, Edinburgh, Thu 14–Sat 16 Apr then touring
‘It’s a very un-Tolkien story,’ says Richard Medrington of Leaf by Niggle, a relatively unknown short story by the Lord of the Rings author. ‘It’s perhaps his least-known story; most people look at you blankly when you mention it but every so often their eyes light up. There are no goblins, dragons or wizards, although it is a fantasy. But it’s quite serious in many ways.’
First published in 1945, Leaf by Niggle tells of an artist named Niggle who is determined to paint a picture of a tree, down to the very last detail, even though he needs to go on a long journey. The show has been a labour of love for Medrington, who i rst approached the Tolkien estate for permission to stage the story 20 years ago. At i rst, he was denied, but having spent years touring the hugely successful Man Who Planted Trees. he now i nally has the chance to perform it.
‘Tolkien wrote it just as he was starting the Lord of the Rings trilogy,’ says Medrington. ‘And in a sense this story is about a character who’s nervous about undertaking their own journey, and who doesn’t get to complete their work.’ (David Pollock)
ART BRING YOUR OWN BABY Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, Mon 2 May
Life with a young baby is a whirlwind of highs and lows. Sleep deprivation and an inability to leave home without the basic supplies of a small village aside, the lows can include losing sight of the person you once were.
But if that person used to love visual art, the National Galleries of Scotland have found a way
to combine a cultural life with parenthood. Taking place on the i rst Monday of every month, Bring Your Own Baby invites parents and carers of infants aged 0–12 months to enjoy one of the Galleries’ current exhibitions, including a short tour.
‘We want people to feel relaxed in the gallery and feel like it’s a place where you can bring a baby and carry on those interests and pursuits you might have had before they were born,’ says adult programme coordinator, Grainne Rice.
Fringe benei ts, such as special offers in the café and facilities to heat baby food, add a practical dimension – but really, it’s the chance to discuss art, and babies, with others that really appeals.
‘The whole ethos of the tour is that it’s i ne for babies to gurgle or grizzle,’ says Rice. ‘During the tours we encourage people to say what they think about the art works, and sometimes we discuss the babies’ response to it. It’s dei nitely not about critical assessment – it’s all very informal.’ (Kelly Apter)
7 Apr–2 Jun 2016 THE LIST 75