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listings

KIDS PREVIEW Red

Touring - See listings

t'iat‘simaif: . ._ 5-8 yeatoltls

The Snickett twins, Harmony and Melody, don't get on. After embarking on their tenth mission in outer space, the twins are still trying to find life on other planets and can’t return home until they do. So the constant

bickering continues.

Catherine Wheel's latest children's theatre production has been directed by Iain Reekie, his first production since leaving 7:84, and the show is much in the same mould as their last show. ‘lf people enjoyed Martha, then I think they'll like this,’ says Artistic Director Gill Robertson. 'There's not a lot of dialogue, the characters are colourful, it’s very visual and there's a lot of

humour in there as well.‘

In the show, the intrepid pair uncover a mysterious rock, and while they’re asleep, the rock opens to reveal a space dog, Red. Neither twin wants to share the dog at first, but Red helps them through a meteorite storm and eventually they realise how childish they have become.

Robertson is quick to deflect any notions of a hidden agenda, '1 don't want to do children’s theatre that's got a message, but there's a lot to say about people being expected to get on, and how not getting on makes life

so much harder.’

If audience members are expecting a saccharine-coated ending, then they're likely to be disappointed. A twist at the end of the show is likely to have children and adults alike reaching for the Kleenex.

Robertson believes that all children can identify with the story, even if they don't have a brother or sister, because, particularly for that age, the concept of sharing is difficult. 'lt's a really basic story, but the emotions in it are all true. I suppose that's a formula that works in children's theatre; you find a simple story, just be truthful about telling that story, and tell it with as much imagination as you can.’ (Maureen Ellis)

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 Maureen Ellis.

Activities And Fun

Duck Race Sat 9 Sep, 11am. Kelvingrove Park, Otago Street, 334 6363. Rubber duck racing along the River Kelvin with the chance to win a weekend in Dublin. In aid of the Children‘s Hospice Association. Children's Drama Workshops Sat 9 Sep, 11am 8: 2pm. £3-£5. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Take part in some creative play in drama workshops led by Claire Hemphill, with an emphasis on

74 THE lIST 7—21 Sep 2000

making friends and having fun.

The Twenty Pence Club Wed 13 Sep & Wed 20 Sep, 4.30—6pm. Barmulloch Community Centre, Wallacewcll Quadrant, 287 5529. After-school activities have never been so fun or varied with athletics, art attack, wacky races, jungle fun, dramarama plus seasonal fun including Hallowe’en Haunts, Guy Fawkes frolics and Christmas Cracker night.

Fun And Games At Pollok Sat 16 Sep, 10am—5pm. Free to members. Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 616 6410. Traditional games for all the family.

Children's Classic Concert Sun 17 Sep, 1pm. £3.95 (£2.95). The Tall Ship At Glasgow Harbour, 100 Stobcross Road, 339 0631. Travel 400 years back in time with the Early Music Group ‘Fires Of

Love’, for a magical mystery tour through medieval Europe.

Film

Ring Of Bright Water(U) Sat 9 Sep, 1pm and 101 Dalmatians(U) Sat 16 Sep, 1pm. £3.75 (£2.25); family ticket £9. Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, 332 8128. See Film Index.

Theatre

The Princess And The Pea Sat 9 Sep, 2pm. £4 (£3). Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre Centre, 8—10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. A lively adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen‘s classic tale from Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre.

Stories With Puppets Sat 16 Sep, 2pm. £4 (£3). Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre Centre, 8—10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Ian Turbitt the Puppeteller presents a charming performance of puppets, traditional tales and audience participation.

Books

James Campbell, Storyteller Against The Clock Sat 16 Sep, 11am. Free. Ottakar’s Bookstore, Unit 6, Buchanan Galleries, Buchanan Street, 353 1500. The comedian and storyteller is trying to break the world record for continuous storytelling accompanied by his compere, Phil Kay. See photo caption.

Activities And Fun

Drawing And Painting People Sat 9 Sep—Sat 5 Oct. Every Saturday at

10.30am—12.30pm (ages 6—9) & 2—4pm (ages 10—14). £10. Old St Paul’s Church, 63 Jeffrey Street. For further information and booking call 554 1999. Advance booking necessary. Make your own portrait after a trip to the National Portrait Gallery to discover how different artists paint people.

Stamping, Stencilling And Painting Sun 10 Sep, 10am—noon (ages 4-7) & 1.30—3.30pm (ages 7—12). Art Gym, Dean Bank House, Canaan Lane, Morningside, 557 0591. Advance booking necessary. Fun art activities and a chance to get your hands dirty as you experiment with these different techniques.

Chasing The Deer Sat 16—Tue 19 Sep, Sat 11am—2pm; Sun 2-3pm; Mon & Tue noon—2pm. £3 (£1.50); children under 18 free. Museum Of Scotland, Chambers Street, 247 4422. Ages 6—12. Hands-on activity exploring the importance of red deer with problems to solve, costumes to try on and replica tools.

Collage, Drawing And Painting Sun 17 Sep, 10am—noon (ages 4—7) & 1.30—3.30pm (ages 7—12). Art Gym, Dean Bank House, Canaan Lane, Morningside, 5570591. Using nature’s bountiful materials, get your artistic juices flowing with a workshop involving collage, drawing and painting.

Film

Asterix And Obelix Take On Caesar (PG) Sat 9 Sep, 2.30pm and The Tigger Movie (U) Sat 16 Sep, 2pm. The Lumiere, Royal Museum, 247 4219. See Film Index.

JAMES CAMPBELL STORYTELLER - AGAINST THE CLOCK James Campbell is . attempting to set a new world record for the longest storytelling session in the world - 36 hours and in four Scotland-wide locations. The event is in aid of NCH Action For Children and James hopes to raise £10,000. Kick-starting the weekend in Inverness Eden Court, from noon-2.30pm, he travels to.Stirling . Library (5.45-6.45pm) and then on to MacRobert at 7pm. Adult stories prevail in Edinburgh until more family fun in Glasgow’s Hillhead library at 103m, Ottakar's Bookshop 11am—1pm, Yorkhill Hospital at 2pm, Cottier's Theatre at 3-5pm, and the last of the family entertainment at the Scottish Mask And Puppet Theatre from 5—9pm. Phew! Why not come along and support this good cause and maybe witness a new world record. Some events ticketed,

check with venues.