Festival KIDS
Y A D T R E B O R
I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS Storytelling with a serious message
E x-children’s laureate and writer of over 100 books, Michael Morpurgo returns to two of his recurring themes – the horrors of wartime and the majesty of the equine breed – in this 2005 story about the importance of storytelling.
The show takes place in a village library, as two adults recall their childhood visits to that very building. Tomas, now a storyteller by profession, recounts his earlier reluctance to read and reminisces about the Unicorn Lady who introduced him to the magic of storytelling. All of which is set against a recurrent threat from book-burning fascists.
The set is amazingly crafted, with actors Danyah Miller and Michael Imerson working in and around stacks of books. Pulling a bounty of props from between their covers,
58 THE LIST FESTIVAL 15–26 Aug 2013
they conjure up fantastical narratives as well as serious recountings of military invasions. Care is taken to show that it’s not just books, the physical objects, that have magical properties, but stories themselves, as the script interacts nicely with unicorn mythology and deftly references creation myths. The message has topical relevance at a time when local libraries are under threat, and the play manages to capture the enchantment of storytelling while incorporating a sense of danger from external forces. But I Believe in Unicorns requires an attention span and a level of maturity probably not possessed by children under ten. (Suzanne Black)
Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 26 Aug, 11.45am, £7–£9 (£6–£8.50). ●●●●●
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HITLIST THE BEST KIDS STUFF
✽ Rumpelstiltskin and the Wheel of Fortune Theatre of Widdershins bring
the Brothers Grimm tale to life, with engaging puppets and an imaginative set. See review, page 61. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, until 25 Aug (not 19), 1pm, £9 (£7).
✽ My Brother the Robot Set in the year
2042, this entertaining show from Tall Stories gives us a glimpse of our possible future – but would we want it? See review, page 59. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 25 Aug (not 14), 2.55pm, £8–£10 (£7–£9).
✽ Esio Trot Cambridge University presents this witty and thoughtful adaptation of
Roald Dahl’s story about a tortoise who brings two lonely people together. See review, page 61. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 25 Aug (not 15), 10.30am, £7–£8 (£5–£6).
✽ Hairy Maclary Unashamedly old-school entertainment in this musical version of Lynley Dodd’s picture books, complete with big fluffy costumes. See review, page 59. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 26 Aug, 10.50am, £10–£11 (£8–£9).
✽ The I Hate Children Children’s Show As
much fun for the grown- ups as it is for the kids, this blend of acerbic wit and sleight of hand magic is a winner for all. See review, list.co.uk Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 26 Aug, 11.50am, £8–£10 (£7–£9).
✽ Sam Rose in the Shadows Excellent puppetry, physical theatre and music
combine in this moving tale of a sad father and his adventurous young son. Bedlam Theatre, 225 9893, until 24 Aug (not 14), noon (Sun 1.30pm), £9 (£7).