KIDS LISTINGS

S

TIN

I THE WITCHES Ever-popular Roald Dahl’s award-winning story sees a group ot

seemingly respectable women who meet tor coffee and a chat in the ballroom ot Bournemouth’s Ilotel Magnificent. But trouble is in the air as the wicked bunch plot to turn the children of Britain into mice. Can the brave boy hero save the day? Find out in this acclaimed theatre production which provides a heady brew of horror,

magic and suspense.

Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by activity. Kids listings compiled by Claire Prentice.

Outdoors lflflmmlllllll

Activities And Fun

I Gorgie City Farm 5| Gorgie Road. Tynecastle Lane. 337 4202. Mon—Sun 9.30am—4pm. Free. This 2.5-acre farm tucked away in the middle of the city offers a good variety of animals to visit. including ponies. cows. goats. rabbits. hens. ducks and pigs. There‘s also a cafe. a farm kitchen. craft facilities and a newly revamped playpark. Definitely worth a

visit in January. w hen the latnbing season might just start gambolling into action.

Indoors mm:—

Activities And Fun

I Christmas And llew Year Carnival Until Sun 19 Jan. l.45—l().45pm. SECC. Finnieston Quay. 248 9999. Boasting several new rides from the Continent. including the huge indoor Wild Mouse rollercoaster and the Terror. a Spanish ghost walk. there‘s plenty here for young and old. There's a big wheel. of course. plus games and rides for the kids.

I Bobby Roberts Super Circus Until Sun I9 Jan. SFZCC. Finnieston Quay. 248 9999. £7—£l2 (£5—£8). Mon—Sat 7.30pm. Stilt 2.30pm/5pm; additional performances at 2.30pm on Fri l0. Sat ll. Wed l5 and Sat l8. Always a favourite with kids. the circus continues to thrive and Bobby Roberts and his troupe are ready to provide all the necessary thrills and excitement. All the ingredients of a traditional circus are here. including elephants. horses. llamas. trapeze artists. jugglers and clowns from Scotland. England and Ireland. For something that wee bit different there are also performing dogs and geese. a Western scene and a truly international feel as performers gather from as far afield as Hungary. Bulgaria and Russia.

Exhibitions

I Claws Until Mon 3l Mar. Art Gallery & Museum. Kelvingrove. 287 2699. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Stilt IIam--5pm. From the moment you step through the jaws of the massive lion guarding this fascinating feline exhibition. it's cats. cats and more cats. including the chance to enter your own pet in the gallery's photographic competition ‘Mog ()f The Month‘.

I The Magical World 0t Puppets Scottish Mask And Puppet Centre. 8-!0 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 (>185. Puppets from all over the world are gathered in this unique exhibition which is on permanent display. The exhibits are both ancient and brand new and cotne from as far afield as Germany and the United States.

Film

I Saturday Kids Club l0am—- 1 2.30pm. £ I .50. Virgin Cinema. The Forge. Parkhead. 556 «I282. Sat ll Jan: Alaska (U); Sat l8 Jan: Free Willie. See Filtn Index.

Theatre

I Maisie From Momingside Sat 18 Jan. 2pm/3.30pm. £3 (£2). Scottish Mask And Puppet Centre. 8— I0 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 (>185. Ages 38. Fringe favourite Ian Turbitt brings Aileen Paterson's famous killed tabby and her colourful friends to life. in this fun-tilled show in which the Morningside moggie ventures through to the west itt search of new adventures.

I A.A. Milne’s Winnie The Pooh Sat 25 Jan. 2pm/3.30pm. £3 (£2). Scottish Mask And Puppet Centre. 8—10 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 (il85. Age five and over. Arguably the most famous bear in the world. plus his mates Christopher Robin. Piglet and Eeyore are up for fun and adventure in this show from Richard Medrington‘s Parable Puppets.

I The Witches Tue 2 l~Sat 25 Jan. 2.30pm/7pm; no 2.30pm show on Tue 2 I: additional l lam show on Sat 25 Jan. Theatre Royal. 282 Hope Street. 332 9000. £3.50—£IO.50. See photo caption.

EDINBURGH Activities And Fun

I little Marco’s Marco‘s Leisure Centre. 55 Grove Street. 228 2l~ll. Mon—Fri 9.30ani—7pm; Sat/Sun 9.30am—8pm. Children of four and over £3.50 per 90 mitt session; under fottrs £2 per 90 minute session (tnembers' flat rate £2). This indoor adventure playground is a child's paradise. with a bouncy castle. slides. soft play area. ball pool. Iloor tunnels and a monster maze. and the staff are friendly and capable. Children tnust be 75—l35cm tail to participate.

I Murraytield Ice Rink Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. Family sessions Sat l0am—l2noon. Thurs 5-9pm; beginners Mon and Fti 5—7pm. Check with rink for other sessions. Forget waiting for the local canal to freeze over. get your skates on and get down to Murrayfield. Lessons from professionals are also available.

I Museum Of Childhood High Street. 529 4 l42. Mon—Sat Want—4.45pm. Free. ' Childhood through the ages is the over- riding theme here. with exhibits including clothes. the nursery. health and hygiene. working coin machines. cars. books. comics. teddies and dolls. giving you a glimpse into what it meant to be in a kid in the days of yesteryear.

I (Iuiclties F0! Kids Royal Museum Of Scotland. 2 Chatnbers Street. 225 7534. Free ten-minute talks for children every Saturday at 2.15pm. 'Bicycles' is the subject on Sat l 1 Jan. followed by ‘The Giraffe‘ on Sat 18 Jan. Special kids‘ talks and tours of the Birds attd Animals exhibits take place on Sun 12 attd l9 Ian at 2.30pm. You can also go along attd check out the entires for the Christmas art competition. with the winning pictures and runners-up on display until Sttn l9 Jan. The theme covers anything on display in the whole museum.

OUTSIDE THE CITIES

Activities And Fun

I Art Attack l8 Jan; l5 Feb; l5 Mar; l0am-2pm. £8 per term; £3 per class. Howdetl Park Centre. Livingston. 0I506 433634. An ideal opportunity for budding artists to roll up their sleeves and take advantage ofexpert tuition is offered with these montth art workshops for 8—12- year-olds. All materials are provided and booking is advised.

I Junior Youth Theatre From Sat 18 Jan. every Sat for 8 weeks. |0am —noon. Lanark Mettlorial Hall. Lanark. ()l555 (>(il33l. Led by Clare Melville. these classes for budding actors cover all aspects of performance. putting you through the rigorous paces it takes to confidently tread the boards.

I Old Mother Hubbard Wed I5—Sat 18 Jan. 7.30pm. The Cortt Exchange. Biggar. 0I899 220l93. Biggar Theatre Workshop presents this year‘s musical panto which features Mother Hubbard and assorted waifs and strays who. with no money to pay the rent. tnust flee to the forest. hotly pursued by the wicked bailiff Greediguts and his rent collector Doinmejob. There they encounter danger. excitement and some new chums.

74 The List l0-23 Jan 1997