Festival KIDS
EMILY BROWN AND THE THING Slick storybook adaptation with a big heart E mily Brown had successfully completed milk and special green medicine.
It’s no surprise that the team behind The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Mr Ben have once again come up trumps – but Emily Brown and the Thing has an extra special charm.
Catchy tunes are joined by a soundtrack of original music which helps drive the story along; Emily and Stanley switch between human-size and puppets to witty and, at times, poignant effect. All three cast members demonstrate a vibrant energy, sense of fun, tenderness and technically strong capacity for physical storytelling. One of the company’s finest hours. (Kelly Apter)
Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 24 Aug (not 7), 2.05pm, £8–£10 (£7–£9). ●●●●●
two adventures when the little boy sitting next to me turned to his mum. ‘I wish there was another adventure,’ he said longingly. ‘There is,’ replied mum, ‘she goes on three’.
The look of glee on his face, when he realised his mis-remembering of Cressida Cowell’s story, was priceless. For Emily Brown does indeed embark on three quests to stop The Thing from crying, tummy rumbling and coughing – all of which are keeping her, and her equally adventurous toy rabbit, Stanley, from sleeping. In the original picture book, the adventures are over in the blink of an eye – but in Tall Stories’ new production, we’re taken into a scary wood, freezing fridge and spooky basement, as our formidable heroine locates and secures The Thing’s ‘cuddly’, bedtime
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HITLIST THE BEST KIDS STUFF
✽ The Sagas of Noggin the Nog The Vikings are back, as the popular
children’s TV series from yesteryear is lovingly recreated on stage. See review, page 67. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 12.50pm, £9–£10 (£7–£8).
✽ Musical Mornings
with Mil’s Trills A chance for little ones to enjoy real music and vocals, singing catchy tunes and joining in. See review, page 67. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 17 Aug (not 11), 10.30am & 11.30am, £7–£9 (£6.50–£7.50).
✽ Emily Brown and the Thing The team who brought you The Gruffalo serve up another storybook adaptation to charm one and all. See review, left. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 24 Aug (not 7), 2.05pm, £8–£10 (£7–£9).
✽ Billy’s Birthday Bash: Let’s Party Like It’s 1564 A fast-paced romp through four of the Bard’s most popular works, reduced and reworked for younger audiences. See review, page 66. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 25 Aug (not 18), 2.10pm, £10 (£8).
✽ The Man Who Planted Trees
Puppet State Theatre’s engaging adaptation of Giono’s environmental tale, featuring one of the best dog puppets of all time. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, until 17 Aug (not 11), 3pm, £10 (£7.50).
7–14 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 65