FOLK TALE REVIVAL MOLLY WHUPPIE
skids@list.co.uk
Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Sat 3 Nov; Netherbow Arts Centre,
Edinburgh, Sun 4 Nov; then touring.
Germaine Greer. Gloria Steinem. Anita Roddick and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; all laudable modern—day feminist icons. Molly Whuppie: not quite so well known but a feminist icon no less. The story of Molly Wliuppie originated in Aberdeenshire centuries before the (SOs feminist heyday. and. if legend is to be l)(311(}\/C(l. was told to yOLing girls by their grandmothers to inspire them to be bold and feisty. Following on from the resounding success of Treasure Island. Wee Stories have chosen this Scottish folk tale as their latest project aimed at the younger age group of 3—6. Having read the book to her own children. writer. director and star of Molly W/iupp/e Virginia Radcliffe says it was an easy choice to make: ‘I really like that it's a rather subversive story that was told round the fire when women were making the soup and the men weren't there. But also because Molly Whuppie is such a feisty. redoubtable heroine. she's a character who appeals to
boys just as much girls.‘
As the stOry goes. Molly Whuppie is forced to go in search of food one harsh winter. and happens upon a castle inhabited by a reclusive king. The king offers to trade food for the winter feast in return for Molly stealing a ring. a sword and a purse from a giant who lives in his kingdom. But everything isn't quite as it seems. and Molly has to use her cunning and wit to get out of some sticky
Situations.
Based around a set of parallel bars. and a soundtrack of magical. mysterious music and live percussion. Molly W/iuppi'e promises to be an enchanting pre— Christmas show. In spite of the story itself being relatively unknown. Radcliffe is nonetheless confident of the show's appeal: 'llie bottom line is that we can do it anywhere with nothing — we can jtlSl get tip. do the show on our own and it will work. And if we can do that. then when you come to add a set and lots of lovely music and all those other ingredients. then you're really onto sometlnngf
(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
A Lost Tribe l'ntil liri 2 Nov. 4pm ts ()plll. £1 . The Arches. 25.3 Argyle Street. 287 5522. Ages ll) 12. Advance booking necessary. A five-day vvorkshop from Sounds of Progress looking at the rituals. dances and stories of the Native .-‘.mericans. Comic Book Drawings Courses Sat 3 Nov. 10am 5pm. £5. ('('A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. Ages 9 l 1. Advance booking necessary. A ftill day course looking a techniques. characters and ideas involved in contemporary
comic book design. ()rganised in collaboration with Linux ()f('nnlinuily exhibition at (ilasgovv School of Art. Animal Magic Drama Sat 3 Nov & Sat 10 Nov. 10am noon & 1 3pm. £15 for 4 vveeks. llunterian Art (iallery. l'niversity olfilasgoyv. 82 Ilillhead Street. 330 5431. Advance booking required. Ages 5 7. Track down the lltinterian's animals through storytelling. drama. games and movement in a series of four fun workshops.
Saturday Art Classes Sat 3 Nov & Sat 10 Nov. 10am noon & 1 3pm. £40 for ten vveeks. llunterian Art (iallery. l'niversity of(ilasgovv. 82 11illhead Street. 330 5431. Advance booking required. Ages 8 12. A series of ftiii \vorksltops inspired by the \vot‘k of t'harles Rennie Mackintosh. ()ii Sat 3 Nov. design your ovv n Terrific Tiles and on Sat 10 Nov. it's Sculpture Time as inspired by Maekititoslt's llotise.
TRASchrash Sat 3 & Still 4 Nov. Sat 1 1.30am & lpm: Sun noon. £1. The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 287 5522. l.'sing trash objects including painted drums. vvater pipes and scaffolding. make high volume. high energy drumming. Experimental Filmmaking Sat 3 Nov. noon--5pm. £1. The Arches. 25.3 Argyle Street. 287 5522. Ages 12 16. Learn the basics of filinmaking and produce a film to be screened at the (ll-'1‘ later in the year. lixperienced filmmakers vvill be on hand to explore the animation techniques of light. shape and sound. Weekend Children’s Workshop Sat 3 Nov. noon- 1pm (ages under 9) & 1.30—2.30pm (ages 10+). l‘ree. vaitchspace. at ()ffshore. 3/5 (iibsott Street. 589 0607. (ilasgovv‘s artist-run moving vvorkshop present this fun arts \vorkshop.
Workshops At GoMA Sat 3 Nov 61' Sat 10 Nm'. 1 3pm. Free. (iallery ()1. Modern Art. Queen Street. 229 1996. Ages over 8. A series of artist-led creative vvorkshops exploring one aspect of the gallery's exhibits.
Saturday Art And Drama Camp Sat 3 Nov 8; Sat 10 Nov. 2.30 5.30pm. £65 for six vveeks. 1.ansdovvne l'pper (‘hurch Hall. 416 (ireat Western Road. 341 0024. Ages 5 10. Advance booking necessary. A six-vvcek course in arts and crafts activities and drama from Impact Arts.
DJ Workshop Sun 4 Nov. 2 4pm. £1. The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 287 5522. One half of renovvned l).l-ing duo The Jengaheads. Martyn Henderson shares the tricks of his trade.
Street Dance Workshop Sun 4 Nov. 2 4pm. £1. The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 287 5522. Kultyer Dance Theatre host a funky dance vvorkshop for teenagers.
Mother 8: Toddler Group Mon 5 Nov & Mon 12 Nov. 10 11am. £2. lltinterian Art (iallery. t'niversity of (ilasgovv. 82 llillhead Street. 3305431. Morning group for the tiny tots based around a Japanese theme.
Art: Sorted! Sat 10 Nov. 10am noon. £5. ('('A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900 (('('A liducation Studio). Ages 7 9. Advance booking necessary. Artist John Beagles leads this tvvo—vveek course introducing participants to the Words a Things exhibition.
Comic Book Drawings Courses Sat 10 Nov. 10am 5pm. £5. ('('A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. Ages
12 15. Advance booking necessary. A full day course looking a techniques. characters and ideas involved in contemporary comic book design. ()rganised in collaboration with [tum- ()f ('unliniu'ly exhibition at (ilasgovv School ol-:\t‘l.
Salsa Classes For Kids Sal It) ts Stm 11 Nov. 12.30 1.30pm. l-‘ree. ('uba Norte. 17 John Street. 552 3505. Ages
8 l4. l-‘eel the spirit of ('tiba and s\\ ivel those hips at these fun Salsa classes.
listings Kids
Film
Asterix And Obelix Take On Caesaril’(i) Sat 3 Nov. lpin; Rugrats In Paris (t3) Sat It) .Nov. 1pm. £2.25 (family ticket £9). (ilasgovv liilm Theatre. 12 Rose Street. 332 8128. See l'ilm Index.
Human Body (PG): Grand Canyon (PG). times vary. check l'ilm listings for shovving times. £5 (£3.50). IMAX Theatre. (ilasgow Science (‘entre. 50 Pacific Quay. 42() 5000.
MUSIC
Children’s Classic Concert - Top Scores Sat 3 Nov. 3pm. £9.50 (£5); fatnin ticket £26. Royal ('oncert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 353 8000. Another easily digestible concert for 4 14-year- olds. this time inspired by sport and led by percussionist Alasdair Malloy.
Theatre
Candy & Flopps Thu 1 Nov. 4pm. £1. Milton ('oininunity liducation ('entre. 424 Liddlesdale Road. 287 5522. Ages 4+. Tutti 1"i'titti's imaginative shovv about ('andy and lilopps. international bunnies of intrigue as they go in search of the missing marble.
The Salvation Of Poothana Sat 3 Nov. 1.15pm. £1. The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 287 5522. Kala ('hethna Kathakali Troupe retell this ancient llindti story about an evil vvoman charged with a llltlt’tlel'ollt. undertaking. The performance is preceded by a drop-in vvorkshop for families to make ('hinese—inspired ptippets. Workshop begins at noon.
PC Parrot Investigates Sat 3 Nov. 2pm. £4 (£3). Scottish Mask & Puppet 'I'heatre ('entre. 8 l0 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 (i185. The sqtiavvking sleuth is on the case of (ioldilocks and the Three Bears to investigate some mysterious goings-on. The Ama/ing Mr Bones puppets present this exciting production full of songs. games. custard pies and flying svveeties.
The Ugly Duckling Sun 4 Nov. 2pm. £ 1. The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 287 5522. Ages under 5. ('lydebuilt Puppet Theatre retell the heart-warming tale of a little duckling who doesn't seem to fit in. The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark Sat 10 Nov. 2pm. £4 (£3). Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre ('entre. 8 11) Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 (i185. Baby barn ovvl Plop is afraid of the dark. but his friends try to help him overcome his fears in this production from Pavla's Puppets.
Dreamscape Wed l4 Sat 17 Nov. 10am 8; 1pm; Sat 2.30pm & 7pm. £2. 'l'ramvvay. 25 Albert Drive. 334 2000. Ages o 10. See photo caption.
Books
Storytime Sat 3 Nov & Sat 10 Nov. 1 lain. Borders Books. 283 Buchanan Street. 222 7700. Suitable for ages 3 8. Storytelling session. followed by fun activities.
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