KIDS

Goldilocks And The Three Bears

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Thu 18 Dec.

If you go down to the woods today. you're sure of a big surprise . . . Well, not a surprise exactly, but certainly a treat, when the Scottish Chamber Orchestra present the world premiere of Kurt Schwertsik's musical version of Roald Dahl's Goldilocks And The Three Bears.

Taken from Dahl's Reva/ting Rhymes, Goldilocks is the fourth in a series of commissions made on behalf of the Roald Dahl Foundation, a charitable trust which supports a huge range of projects for children in the fields of literacy, haematology and neurology. Royalties from previous concerts, such as the extremely successful Little Red Riding Hood, have all gone to the Foundation, which has now donated over £1 million in grants.

The afternoon performance is exclusively for schools but in the evening the whole family can enjoy 'A Walk In the Woods', a concert in which Goldilocks forms the second half. But don't go along expecting a happy bedtime story - with baby bear in court facing a charge of attempted murder, things are not quite as they should be.

And with the late author’s granddaughter Sophie Dahl as narrator, the bears aren't the only ones keeping it in the family. (Carol Main)

We welcome submissions for this section, but cannot guarantee inclusion. Please send details to our offices at least ten days before publication. Kids listings compiled by Helen Monaghan.

Activities And Fun

Crimbo Creations Sat (1 Dec. IOam-noon. Pollok Country Park. 632 ‘)2‘)‘). Ages 8+. Create your own environmental presents and decorations. Children's Nature Club Sat 6 Dec. 1—3pm. Castle Semple Centre. Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. 01505 842882. An afternoon workshop in the art of making Christmas decorations. plus games and festive fun.

Festive Feathered Fair Sun 7 Dec. l-A3prn. £1. Mugdock' Country Park. Craigallian Road. Nr. Milngavie ‘)56 6100. Help the birds at the park by making birdfeeders and tables. Christmas Cracker Making Sun 7 is Sun 14 Dec. 2.30-4.30prii. 20p. Scotland Street School Museum. 225 Scotland Street. 42‘) 1202. Make sure your Christmas goes off with a bang. by making these fun crackers.

Christmas Craft Evening Thu I I l)ec. 6.3()-‘).30pm. Mugdock Country Park. 956 6100. Local crafts people will be at hand to help you create your own Yuletide gifts. There‘s also carol singing. mulled wine and a special visit from Father Christmas. so get those letters written kids.

Children's Nature Club Sat 13 Dec. 1—3pm. Cornalees Bridge Centre. Clyde Muir'shiel Regional Park. 01475 521458. A Christmas card making workshop.

Film

Babe (PG) Mon 15 Dec; Matilda (PG) Tue to Dec; A Little Princess 11') Wed 17 Dec and An Indian In The Cupboard (PG) Thu 18 Dec. 1pm. Glasgow liilm Theatre. 12 Rose Street. 332 8128.

Men In Black ll’(ii on Sat 6 Dec and Jingle All The Way it’thou Sat 13 Dec. 11am. Virgin Cinema. The I-orge. Park'head. 556 4282

Musrc

Goldilocks And The Three Bears Thu 18 I)ec.7.30pin. £~l.5(1<£l5.50.Concert IIaII .-\uditorrurri. (ilasgow Royal Concert Hall. 2 Saucliiehall Street. 287 5511 See panel and Classical listings.

Theatre

The Tale Of The Lost A Sat 6 Dec. 2pm. £2.50 t£211 family ticket £8. The Arches. 3U Mltlltttltl Street. 221 -ll)(1l Ages 3 (i. (iiant Productroris‘ new show lull of songs. stones and pttl/Ics. follows the adventures of Amy as she goes in search of her lost letter A.

The Hungry Giant 1'11 12 Sat 201)ec. I-‘rr 12 8' Mon 14 I‘m 1‘) Dec. 10.30am. 1.30pm (‘Q 7pm; Sat 13 6; Sat 201)ec. 2pm & 4pm. £2zfanii1y ticket £7. Ages 3 8.

The Arches. 30 Midland Street. 221 4001.

Puppets. songs. games and the giant w 1111

a Petrchant for toffee. in Mr Bories‘s

Christmas special.

The B.F.G. L'ntil Sat 201)ec. \ar'ious

times. £250 £10. ('rti/ens‘ Theatre. Ciorbals. 42‘) 0022. Adapted from Roald Dahl‘s w'eIl-on ed book. this show tells the story of Soplire and her adventures w itlr a

character known as The Big I’riendly

(iiant. Together. they plot to rid the world of all the not-so-friendly grants

' The Singing Kettle - Jingle Bells Sun

14 -\\'ed 31 Dec. various times tcall box office to check aurilability). £8 (£7): family ticket £24. (ilasgow Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 287 5511. Cilla. Artie. Gary and .Iane help you get in the Christmas spirit with their all-singing. all-dancing musical euravaganza. But you‘d better hurry and hook your tickets. as the show is fast selling-out.

Exhibition Art On The Move I'ntil Tue 23 Dec. Collins Gallery. t'niversity of

Strathclyde. 22 Richmond Street. 552 4400 est 2682. \lon— Fri 10am—5pm; Sat noon 4pm. The Collins Gallery has been taken over by whirling. buzzing. automated and kinetic artwork by sixteen th-based artists. The constructions range from simple wooden. hand- operated toys to a solar-powered musical sculpture

Storytelling

The Even Better Crack Club Sat 13 Dec. 10am noon. £1. I.andsdowne Church Hall. 420 (ireat Western Road. Kelvinbridge. 01506 847935. Tales from Claire Mulholland about sea folk. wee folk and Irish folk.

Activities And Fun

Quickies For Kids Royal Museum of Scotland. 2 Chambers Street. 225 7534. I’ree ten-minute talks for children held every Saturday at 2.15pm and every Sunday at 3. I 5pm. Tele hone Box is on Sat 6 Dec and The S 0th on Sun 7 NM The following week. Scottish Stag on Sat 13 Dec and The Bactrian Camel on Sun 14 Dec.

Creative Kids Club: Jungle Exploration Fri 5 Dec. 2 4pm. £2. Ages 8 12. The City Art Centre. Market Street. Due to limited numbers for this workshop. contact Margaret I‘indlay on 52‘) 3063 to book a place. Drama workshop on the theme of the current xlllllllrl/ Hire/r exhibition. Santa Cruises Sat 6 & Sun 7 Dec and Sat 138' Sun 14 Dec.

10.10am 4 30pm £5.50 I‘Zdinburgh Canal Centre. Bridge Inn. Ratho. 333 1320. An enchanting. hour-long cruise to Santa's island grotto with a special present for every child.

Santa's Grotto liltltl wed 24 Dec. 11am 4pm. £2.50 (includes present 1. l‘idinburgh /.oo. (‘orstorphine Road. T340171. If you go along the winding path. you'll come to a colourful workshop 11] the magical forest. Here. you can write a letter to Father Christmas and then visit him in his sparkling crystal grotto

Theatre

The Singing Kettle - Jingle Bells t'nril Sat I31)ec. 10am; 11am; 1pm; 2pm icaII hos oltrce to check availability ,1. £5 £8. Izdrnburgh Festival 'I‘Iieatre.

l 3 2‘) Nicolson Street. 52‘) 6000. Join the Kettle crew in their festive show

w 1111 songs aplenty. jokes. rhymes and. of course. audience pat‘ttcrpation is an absolute 11111sl.

The Happy Gang's Fantastic Funhouse (ilenr‘othes Rothes Ilalls. Rothes Square. Kingdom Centre. 01592 611101. Sa161)ee. 11am & 2.30pm. £4 1£2.501. Iidrnburgli: Traverse Theatre. ('ariibridge Street. 228 1404. Tue ‘) -Sun 14 Dec. 10.30am & 1.30pm Tue l-‘ri; 1,3(1piii 3% 4pm Sui; 1,30piri Sun. £2.50- £-l; four tickets for £14. (ilasgow: SECC. l‘innieston Quay. 287 7777. Tue 16 Sun 21 Dec. 10.30am (k 1.30pm Tue 15:1: l 30pm 1k 4.30pm Sat (k Sun. £3-£5; four tickets for £16. See photo caption.

Magic Bob's Christmas Cabaret Mon 8 Fri 12 Dec. .\loii Wed 10.30am &

1 30pm; Thu k 1"i'i 10.30am. £2. St Bride's Centre. l0()rwell Terrace. 346 I405. Tricks. circus skills. illusions and jokes with children's favourite riiagrcran. Magic Bob

Exhibition

Animal Magic l'irtil 10 Jan 1998. City Art Centre. 2 Market Street. 52‘) 3993. Mon Sat 10am—5pm. Step inside the wonderful and fascinating world of the animal kingdom through the eyes of boiIi artists and scientists. in a major new children's eshibitiori..-lIiiriiri/.1Iiieii spreads itself across three Iloors of the gallery. featuring original museum exhibits. commissioned artworks and plenty of hands-on activities.

listings KIDS

3 OUTSIDE THE CITIES

I Activities And Fun

I Christmas Wonderland ttnut Wed 24

1 Dec. noon-8pm (opens at 10am on Sat & 1 Sun). £5.50; family ticket £20.

Strathclyde Country Park. Hamilton

Road. Motherwell. 01698 333909. Board Santa‘s \N'onderland Iixpress to visit the

big fella himself. in one of the world's

I largest grottos. Travel through the

illuminated forest on your way. until you reach Lapland, where Father Christmas is waiting to hear all your wishes.

Sarita At Mill Farm Sat 6 & Sun 7 Dec and Sat 13 (k Sun 14 Dec. 10am—5pm. 50p entry. with a £2 charge to see Santa. Almond \"alley Heritage Centre. .‘ylilllield. I.r\ingston. 01506 414957. A chance to \ isit Santa in his farmyard grotto. complete with nativity scene and illuminated sleigh rides.

Theatre

Jack And The Beanstalk 1411 5 Sat 13 Dec. 7.30pm; 2pm Sat matinee. £4.75 t£41. Ilowderr Park Centre. Livingston. (11506 431803. Swopprrig the fanrily cow for a handful of magic beans. Jack discovers a beanstalk in his garden and on clarribering up. he gets more than Ire bargained for. Festive fun with the New Town Entertainers.

The Tale Of Peter Rabbit Sat 6 Dec. 2.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Iiast Kilbride Arts Centre. ()ld Coach Road. liast Mains. 01355 261000. Ages 3-8. Beatrix Potter's popular tale is recreated by lair 'I‘urbitt's Puppet Theatre.

The International Purves Puppets Biggar Little Theatre. Broughton Road. 0189‘) 220631. £1.40 adults; £3.30 children (reductions for parties over 10). Shows on offer over the coming fortnight are as follows:

Peter Pan 1'11 5. 12.45pm; Sat 6 & Sun 7. 2pm; Mon 8. 7pm; Mon 8--Wed 10. 10.30am; l‘tl 12. 3pm; Sat 13. 2pm; Wed 17 Dec. 10 ilianr. Adaptation oleyl. Barrie's classic tale of the boy who doesn't want to grow up.

Pips And Panda And The Magic Egg Sat 6 8' Sat 13. 11am; Mon 15. 10.30am .k 12.45pm; Tue 16. 10.30am1’1‘hu 18 10.30am & 12.45piri. Camping on the beach. Pips and Panda discover a magic egg which begins to cause them trouble. ()n discovering who its owners are. they now want to know what's inside.

THE HAPPY GANG'S FANTASTIC FUNHOUSE Glenrothes: Rothes Halls. Edinburgh: Traverse Theatre. Glasgow: SECC. Children's funsters, The Happy Gang are off on a new adventure, as we join them at their Christmas party. In a dusty old attic, the gang are looking for a Father Christmas outfit, but instead, they stumble across an old trunk brimming over with junk. They soon discover that each item has its own tale to tell and are whisked off on more madcap adventures. Thrills, spills, music and new songs, in a great show for all the famil . For full details of other Christmas 5 ows and pantos, see Theatre listings, pages 66-69

5—18 Dec 1997 THE USTSS