KIDS | HIGHLIGHTS KIDS HIGHLIGHTS
Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add GLASGOW
dance featuring the RSNO and dancers from the Manor School of Ballet, which sees chaos engulf Winter Wonderland on the eve of the big day. Also Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 8 Dec, usherhall.co.uk
thessehydro.com Musical adaptation of the hit Christmas film about Buddy, a human raised by elves who ventures to New York City to find his long-lost father. Starring David Essex as Buddy’s father, Tam Ryan as Buddy and Martine McCutcheon as Jovie.
TRADITIONAL TUNES FOR TINY EARS
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Thu 5 Dec, nationalgalleries.org Special festive concert of traditional songs under the stars for the wee ones.
GLASGLOW FUNBOX PRESENTS CHRISTMAS
FLUTTER
IN TOY TOWN GRANDPA’S GREAT ESCAPE
SSE Hydro, Fri 3 Jan, thessehydro. com Stage adaptation of the children’s book by David Walliams, which follows Grandpa and Jack’s daring escape from the old folk’s home. The Studio at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 11–Thu 24 Dec, capitaltheatres.com Immersive multi- sensory performance about the magical world of winter for kids aged 2–6 that combines puppetry, music and visuals.
EDINBURGH VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
THE LOST ELVES FAMILY DAYS
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Fri 1–Sun 10 Nov, glasgowbotanicgardens.com Explore nine different immersive worlds in an hour-long journey through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, transformed by light and sound installations.
DINOSAUR DETECTIVES Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Sun 3 Nov, maskandpuppet.co.uk Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre use puppets, projections and shadow theatre to explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the first fossil finds of the Victorian era.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELVIN
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Fri 13–Sun 15 Dec, funbox.co.uk The Funbox gang head up this seasonal spectacular set in Toy Town, where the mischievous Gnorbert the Gnome is up to ‘snow’ good. Also touring, see list. co.uk/kids for details. Tramway, Fri 13–Sun 29 Dec, tramway.org Festive production from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland about a group of elves crash-landing in Glasgow, and their journey back to the North Pole to help Santa finish making presents.
HALL FAMILY DAY STAND COMEDY KIDS CLUB
Kelvin Hall, Sat 9 Nov, kelvinhall. org.uk Take part in a host of eco- friendly activities suitable for the whole family, such as a pedal-powered cinema and crafting sessions.
CHILDREN’S CLASSIC CONCERTS: SANTA’S
WORKSHOP
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL The Stand, Sat 14 Dec, thestand. co.uk Elliot Bibby, Amelia Bayler, Graham Stewart, Rosco McClelland and Billy Kirkwood are on hand to control the kids with an hour of stand- up, games, storytelling, magic and much more.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 7 Dec, childrensclassicconcerts. co.uk Festive showcase of music and
ELF: A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
SSE Hydro, Sat 14–Sun 25 Dec,
Festival Theatre, Sat 16 Nov, capitaltheatres.com Day of festive activities for the whole family, with bauble making, carol singing, Christmas crafting, messy play and more.
CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Fri 22 Nov–Sun 29 Dec, rbge. org.uk This dazzling illuminated trail winds its way through the gardens, with spectacular lights and colourful projections set to classic Christmas songs.
WHITE Traverse Theatre, Wed 27 & Thu 28 Nov, traverse.co.uk Playful, highly visual show by Andy Manley about two friends who take care of birds and their eggs. Suitable for ages 2–4.
STORYTELLING FOR FAMILIES Patrick Geddes Centre, Sat 14 & Sun 15 Dec, patrickgeddescentre. org.uk Yuletide storytelling sessions around a cosy fireside, led by Mrs Mash and Gillian Fraser Paterson, with the chance to explore the historic rooms of the Patrick Geddes Centre in the interval.
TRICKY RICKY: CHRISTMAS MADNESS
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Sat 28 Dec, magicfest.co.uk Four-time winner of Scottish Children’s Entertainer of the Year, Tricky Ricky hosts this comedic magic show alongside The Trickster, Jingles the Reindeer and Sonny the Bunny.
YOU ARE MAGIC Traverse Theatre, Sat 28–Mon 30 Dec, traverse.co.uk Magic Gareth and dancer Michelle Ferguson present this entertaining show of illusions, mind- reading, sleight of hand and death- defying escapes.
OUT OF TOWN
THE WINTER REALM OF THE PARAFFIN PIXIES
Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston, Fri 6 Dec–Sun 5 Jan, almondvalley.co.uk Magical light trail with beautiful displays, projections and wintry activities for the whole family, as well as the chance to see the world’s largest paraffin heater, a field of scented flames and more.
Flutter
H I T L I S T
102 THE LIST 1 Nov 2019–31 Jan 2020
ATLANTIS BANAL: DR SEUSS’ HOW
See preview, page 100.
BENEATH THE THE GRINCH STOLE
orchestra and choir. See feature, page 53.
SURFACE
CHRISTMAS! THE THE NIGHTMARE
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 21–Sat 23 Nov, catherinewheels.co.uk Shona Reppe stars in this theatrical exhibition about an artist named Atlantis Banal, set in an intimate ‘pop-up’ gallery. See review, page 100.
MUSICAL
BEFORE CHRISTMAS A CHRISTMAS FAIRY
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 26 Nov–Fri 1 Dec, grinchmusical.co.uk Musical adaptation about the curmudgeonly cave- dweller who schemes to ruin the residents of Whoville’s festive cheer.
IN CONCERT TRAIL
SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Mon 2 Dec, thessehydro.com Composer Danny Elfman takes on the role of Jack Skellington in this performance of his iconic movie score, with full Archerfield Walled Garden, Dirleton, Fri 6–Tue 24 Dec, archerfieldwalledgarden. com Immersive experience on a magical 1.5km trail of fairies and forest folk. See preview, page 99.
BILLIONAIRE BOY King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 15–Sun 19 Jan, atgtickets.com Stage adaptation of David Walliams’ story about lonely Joe Spud, the richest boy in the country, who transfers from a posh school to a local comprehensive in the hope of making a friend. See preview, page 100.