MUSICAL BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 5 Nov oooo

Any show that features dancing cutlery has got to be congratulated, not least for convincing somebody to climb inside a fork costume in the first place. Disney’s lavish production of Beauty and the Beast is full of such peculiarities. The eponymous Beast lives in an enchanted castle populated by a walking, talking clock, candlestick and wardrobe. Not to mention a very chatty teapot and matching cup (the latter played by possibly the cutest small boy in the land) an acrobatic tablecloth and several can-can

dancing napkins.

After a slightly shaky start, filled with musical numbers which has kiddies twitching in their seats, Beauty and the Beast quickly crosses the generational divide. Little ones (and frankly, big ones as well) love the dancing dinner plates and kitchen accessories, fireworks and starry skies. Grown-ups can appreciate the stunning vocals of big Beast, Nic Greenshields (6’6"!) and the teary ending when Belle finally falls in love with him. While both sets get more than a few laughs out of the comic timing of male chauvinist anti-hero, Gaston, and the Beast’s increasingly humorous

attempts to win Belle’s heart.

So many tales have been Disney-tied in recent years, and not always for the better. This time, the giant corporation has taken the romantic heart of this well-loved tale and given it a spectacular new edge. (Kelly Apter)

Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to kidsQIist.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Morag Bruce.

Activities And Fun Drop-In Drama for Kids Sat 5 Nov 8: Sat 12 Nov. 1 lam—noon. £4. CCA. 350

60 THE LIST 3—1 7 Nov 2005

Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. Stimulating session of theatrical fun.

Inspiration Festival 2005 L'ntil Fri

1 1 Nov, Various Glasgow venues. 287 9843. The arts festival celebrates its 8th year. with a feast of exciting performances and workshops.

CCA Kids Club: Make a Spectacle of Yourself Sat 5 Nov. 10— 1 1.30am. £3. CCA. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. Make oversized sunglasses based on your favourite word.

Glasgow Fireworks! Sat 5 Nov. 5pm (display starts 7pm). Free. Glasgow Green. Greendyke Street, ()871 200 3940. Annual fireworks display. with funf’air and big-screen pre-show with Radio Clyde.

Theatre & Dance

Dances of Okonanta Thu 3 8.: Fri 4 Nov. 9.30am. 10.45am. lprn & 2pm. £1. Tron Theatre. 63 Trongate. 552 4267. Unique theatre performance depicting the tale of Princes Cashishi and her clever monkey friend. Ages 5—9.

Around the World in 80 Minutes Thti 3 & Fri 4 Nov. Thu 7pm: Fri 10.30am & 1.30pm. GilmorehillGl2. 9 lfniversity Avenue. 330 5522. Join Theatre Sans Frontieres' detective agency as they embark on an action packed adventure through jungles. deserts and ice castles. Ages 7+.

Broomsticks in the Sky Sat 5 Nov. 2pm. £4.50 (£3.50). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. 8-10 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindale. 339 6185. Join Sylvia Troon’s witches for adventures with spells. potions and broornstick rides.

The Great Lollypop Robbery Sat 12 Nov. 2pm. £4.50 (£3.50). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. 8— 10 Balcarres Avenue. Kelvindalc. 339 6185. The lollypop monster has stolen all the pops! Can PC Parrot save the day for lolly lovers everywhere‘.’

Exhibition

Dennistoun 2099 tintil Sat 19 Nov (not Sun/Mon). noon—6pm. Market Gallery. 334 Duke Street. 556 7276. lixhibition of work by P7 children from the Dennistoun area. featuring their ideal homes of the future.

Storytelling

Children’s Storytime Sat & Sun 5/6 and 12/13 Nov. 2pm. Free. Borders Books. Fort Retail Park. 390 l’rovan Walk. 773 2910. Weekly storytelling session.

Edinburgh

Activities And Fun

Come to Your Senses L'ntil Fri 2 Dec. 10am-5pm; Sun noon—5pm: Tue 10am—8pm. Free. Royal Museum Science Zone. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. How good are your senses'.’ Test them in this interactive exhibition.

National Gallery Art Cart Sun 6 Nov & Sun 13 Nov. 2- 4pm. Free. National Gallery of Scotland. The Mound. 624 6200. The Art Cart will be loaded with a variety of art materials and ideas to explore the collections through fun crafty activities. Ages 312.

Tiny Music Makers Sat 5 Nov. 10am (ages l»-3) & 11am (ages 3»-5). £4 (£1.50 £2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. A fun session of music making involving games. puppets. rhymes and movement to music. Big Art Wee Hands Sat 5 Nov. 10.30am (ages 7+) & 1.30pm (ages 36). £4 (£1.50-£2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. Have a go at a range of visual art media including painting. sculpture. installation and digital photography.

Perfect Pyramids Sat 5 Nov.

1 lain-1pm & 2-4pm. City Art Centre. 2 Market Street. 529 3993. Make your own 31) pyramid and cover it in images inspired by the Thutmose 111 exhibition. Dr Bunhead’s DIY Fireworks Show Sat 5 Nov. 1 1.15am. 1.45pm 8; 3.30pm. £2. Royal Museum Lecture Theatre. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. Dr Bunhead. blasts onto stage with some high-octane rocket science for beginners. Spontaneously combusting jelly babies. the 200mph spud cannon. amazing fireworks lurking in your breakfast cereal and more. Ages 7+. Booking essential. First Impressions: Children’s Book Illustration Sat 5 Nov & Sat 12 Nov. lv--2.30pm. £4 (£1.50 £2). North lidinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. A chance to create work inspired by children's books. Ages 7+.

DJing Workshop Sat 5 Nov 8; Sat 12 Nov. lprn. £4 (£1.50—£2). North lidinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. Ages 12+. An introduction to the skills of [)Jing. YDance Sat 5 Nov. 2.30pm. Free for those attending the afternoon performance. anton Theatre. Ladywell Way. Musselburgh. 665 2240. Learn traditional African dance. contemporary styles to contemporary sounds. Suitable for ages 7—10.

Fireworks Display Sat 5 Nov. 6.30pm. £4.50. Meadowbank Sports Centre. 139 London Road. 661 5351. The biggest public fireworks display in lidinburgh - always sold out. so book early?

Winter Projects Sun 6 Nov. 10.30am &

1.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle. 2a Cramond Road South. 336 2060. Workshop exploring lots of projects suitable for winter days. Pre-booking essential.

Dance Kids Sat 12 Nov. 10am. 1 lam & 12.30pm. £4 (£1.5(L»£2). North Edinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. Get your shoes and socks off and prepare to stamp. slide. jump and leap. 10am and l lam: age 1 4; 1.30pm: ages 3 —6.

Follow the Mystery Code Sat 12 Nov. 1 lam & 2pm. City Art Centre. 2 Market Street. 529 3993. Solve the mystery code and produce an amazing piece of artwork. The Chemistry of Sport Sat 12 Nov. 10ams-5pm. Free. Royal Museum Main Hall. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. Test your strength. speed and fitness on a variety of interactive machines and see how you compare to some of the world‘s greatest athletes. Ages 5+.

Scottish Traditional Games Sun 13 Nov. 12.45pm. 1.45pm. 2.45pm & 3.45pm. Free. Royal Museum liawthomden Court. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. Leave your PlayStation at hotne and try out games from yesteryear.

Theatre & Dance

Beauty and the Beast LTntil Sat 5 Nov, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm).

£13.50 £29.50. Playhouse. Greenside Place. (1870 606 3424. See review. Round People: Kugelmenschen Thu 3 Nov. 1.30pm & 7.30pm. £5 (£3 £3.50). North lidinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. An unusual and inspirational mix of shadows. music and light depicting an ancient tale of gods and strange mythical creatures. Ages 5+. Big Baby Thu 3~Sat 5 Nov. 7.30pm. £12 (£4.50 £7). Traverse Theatre. Cambridge Street. 228 1404. Visible Fictions tell the tale of a baby who's a very fast learner indeed. talking at one day old. Ages 13+. King Ethelbert Sat 5 Nov. 1 lam. £5 (£3-£3.50). North lidinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. King lithelbert and the Happy Scamp performed in linglish with traditional Bulgarian puppets. Ages 4+.

The Story of the Blues Sat 5 Nov. 7pm. £6 £22 fora family of four. Brunton Theatre. Ladywell Way. Musselburgh. 665 2240. Yl)ance present a brand new production about denim. following a pair ofjeans from cotton fields to TV adverts. Suitable for ages 7+.

The Story of the Blues Wed 9 Nov. 7.30pm. £5 (£3—£3.50). North lidinburgh Arts Centre. 15a Pennywell Court. 315 2151. See above.

Exhibition

The Books of Hans Christian Andersen L'ntil Tue 31 Jan (not Sun). Mon-Sat. 10am 5pm. Free. Museum of Childhood. 42 High Street. 5294142. A special exhibition featuring some of the best loved books by this renowned storyteller.