Although news that the English Shakespeare Company is to cut large scale touring after April 1994 is a jobs blow (up to 70 will be lost). the good news is that ESC‘s Education Department will continue to present uncondescending. uncompromising classics kids can really get their teeth into.
Artistic director Michael Bogdanov’s adaptation of The Fantastical Legend of Dr Faust incorporates puppets. sculptures. evocative lighting and music. What promises to be a
spectacular tale of ultimate materialism '
makes particularly apt viewing at a time when most pupils will have minutely compared their festive acquisitions with their peers.
ESC‘s Education Department also offers a range of three two-hour workshops. run by the director and cast within schools. Weaving the Spell (8—10 years) explains the art of storytelling. concentrating on the Faust legend and characters. Power and Performance enlarges on the text and storyline. and Creating the Image is a creative workshop incorporating puppets. masks and sculptures into theatrecraft.
Accessibility of the classics has
1 ,. ,
; become something of a cliche, but ESC ‘s style breaks through barriers and A manages to make dusty old texts relate directly to young people's lives today. What a refreshing change. (Gabe Stewart)
The Fantastir‘al Legend of Dr Faust. English Shakespeare Company. MacRobert Art Centre. Stirling. 0786
plus Thurs mat 1.30pm and Sat mat 2.30pm. £2.50.
46108]. Thurs 20—Sat 22 Jan. 10.30am‘
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Children, like dogs, need exercising. However a recent survey by Protessor Ileil Armstrong oi Exeter University has irightening implications tor the iuture health oi British kids. in a sample oi 640 randomly selech ill-1 C-year-olds, he looked ior evidence oi at least three separate twenty-minute periods oi exercise, which is equivalent to brisk walking, per week. ‘We discovered that none at them exercised ior even one twenty- mlnnte period,’ he says.
‘So we reduced the exercise periods to ten minutes, and iound that over halt the girls and a third oi the boys
never experienced any ten-minute exercise periods at all.’ Although girls and boys had similar levels oi exercise at age ten, the girls’ rate oi exercise diminished as they got older, while boys’ activities appeared to remain constant up to age sixteen. And this despite the tact that the vast majority oi stereotypical uniit computer butts are boys.
One encouraging pattern emerges irom the results. ‘The iamily is the most important role model,’ he says. ’We iound that wherever there were active mothers, there were also active kids.’ So, perhaps that personal ‘get ilt' resolution should include the whole iamlly. In Glasgow, Castlernilk, Easterhouse, James Murray Sports Centres, Ilorth Woodside Pool, and Auchinlea and Priesthill Recreation Centres all host sports, dance, baby bounce or games sessions, all costing lust 55p per hour. Edinburgh’s sports and leisure centres are also worth investigating. For example, Ainslie Park leisure Centre and Meadowbank Stadium organise activities ranging irom pre-school gymnastics to sports coaching including live-a-side iootball, basketball and badminton, and Ainslie Park has a special teen step class. See you on court? (Cabe Stewart)
Italn or shine, our at-a-glance guide will see you through. Events are listed under outdoors or indoors columns, and then divided by city. kids listings compiled by Gabe Stewart.
Outdoor/s it 5 ramm—
Activities and Fun
I Winter Wildiowl and Waders The Linn Dipper Club. Linn Park. 637 1147. Sat 15 Jan. lOam—noon. Free. Come along for some fun and games. and learn about the birds you’ll be able to see at the RSPB Reserve next week (see below).
I BSPB Reserve Tour Baron's Haugh. Info John Phillips. 637 1147. Sat 22 Jan. Assemble at Linn Dipper Club. Linn Park at 9am. depart Baron's Haugh 1 1.30am. Free.
EDINBURGH
Activities and Fun
I Princes Street Playgrounds and Gardens If you haven’t already visited the new playground. it’s worth a visit. Plenty of seating for parents to watch tinies clarnber on large climbing structures for 3—10-year-olds. plus unusual ground activities for less able children. Also interesting giant size musical instruments. Children enjoy the railway running through the park. and trains are best viewed front the bank beneath the National Gallery in the East Gardens. or from the lattice bridges in the West Gardens. where you’ll also find the floral clock.
Indoors
Actrvrtles and Fun
I Christmas and low Year Carnival ’94 SECC. 332 9121. Until Sun 16 Jan. 1.45—10.45pm. 80p. Experience all the fun of the fair before it packs up.
Exhibitions
I Scotland Street School Museum 225 Scotland Street (opposite Shields Road Underground). 429 1202. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Free. In reconstructed classrooms of the Victorian. Edwardian. Second World War eras and 50s and 60s. kids can write with nib pen and ink. wear the dunce’s cap and have a shot at Victorian playground games. For 50p plus £2 deposit. pick up a pack with enough games for up to ten children including skipping ropes. marbles and stottie balls. plus a booklet of instructions and rhymes.
I lantern Arcade Tramway. 442 2023. Until Sun 23 Jan. 3-7pm. Free. This collaboration with Welfare State sees the Tramway transported to a magical land of
lanterns and lights. featuring four giant illuminated towers. and to include music and projection. On special days storytellers and musicians will guide you through the exhibition. Charles Esche. the Tramway's Visual Arts Programmer.describes it as ‘a fantasy in light and movement‘ — as magical for kids as for their parents.
Theatre
I The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Citizens’ Theatre. 429 0022. Until Sat 22 Jan 1994. 2pm. 7pm. £6—£8.50. children £3.50—£4.50.
I The Magic World oi Aladdin Mitchell Theatre. Granville Street. 227 5511. Until Sat 15 Jan. 2.30pm. 7.30pm. £8 (£6).
I Dick Wilmington King’s Theatre. Bath Street. Ticketlink 227 5511. Until Sat 29 Jan 1994. Mon—Sat 2.15pm. 7pm. £3—£10. I Mr McScrooge Pavilion Theatre. 121 Renfield Street. 332 1846. Until Sat 29 Jan. Sun—Fri 2pm. 7pm; Sats £8.75 (£5.75). £6 (£5).
EDINBURGH
Cinema
I MGM Film Centre Saturday Matinees 1.othian Road. 228 1638. Films start at 11am. doors open 10.30am. £1.50. 15 Jan Back to the Future (PG). 22 Jan Suburban Commando (PG) starring lovable Hulk Hogan.
I Filmhouse Saturday Matinees Lothian Road. 228 2688. Films start at 2.30pm. £2. 15 Jan M. Hulot’s Holiday (U) Perhaps your more sophisticated teeny terror will appreciate Jacques Tati’s classic. Perhaps not . . . at least parents are guaranteed a good giggle. 22 Jan Homeward Bound (U). Parents. doubly prepare yourselves. Be warned not to claw your way to the nearest exit. Then. brace yourselves for the revelation that your offspring actually enjoy Michael J. Fox. Sally Fields and Don Ameche as the voices of two dogs and a cat in Disney's remake of The Incredible Journey.
Theatre
I Sleeping Beauty King‘s Theatre. 2 [even Street. 229 1201. Until Sat 29 Jan. 7pm with weekday mats at 2.15pm and Sun mats at 3pm. £4.50—£10.50. Written by Evening News critic Raymond Ross. starring Les Dennis. Jan Wilson and Gerard Kelly.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities and Fun
I Natural Art Motherwell District Council Dalzell/Baron‘s Haugh Car Park. Info Gerry Lewis ()698 269696. Sun 16 Jan. 2pm. Free. Kids welcome to help create a masterpiece using natural objects and inspiration.
I Percussion Playtime Musicworks. Wishaw Library. 0698 351362. Every Friday. lIam-noon. £1. 4—8 years. Children's Music Hour lets children sing and practise their percussion skills. while their carer browses round the library.
I Dance Workshops Jerviston Community Centre. Motherwell. 0698 264385. Every Wednesday. 5.30—6.30pm (5—8 years) 6.30—7.30pm (9—12 years). £1. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
I Butterin Farm Melville Nursery. Lasswade (on A7 just outside Dalkeith) 031 663 4932. Mon—Sun. 10am-5.30pm. Adults £2.95. family (two adults/four kids) £8.60. under fives free. Tropical butterflies and birds fly free among scented flowers and lush foliage in a massive heated greenhouse. The garden centre also includes a small cafe and children’s play area.
Theatre
I The Fantastical Legend oi Iir Faust
MacRobert Arts Centre. Stirling. 0786
461081. Thurs 20 Jan—Sat 22 Jan. 8— 14 years. See panel.
54 The List 14—27 January 1994