Festival Kids
Telephone Booking Fringe 0131 226 0000 International Festival 0131 473 2000 Book Festival 0845 373 5888 Art Festival 07500 461 332 STICK MAN LIVE ON STAGE! Popular picture book brought to life
Based on the hugely successful children’s book by Julia Donaldson, Stick Man is the story of a loveable anti-hero who lives in the family tree ‘with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three’. But when a dog whisks an unsuspecting Stick Man away, he faces a perilous adventure to get back home. Brought to the stage by the
acclaimed Scamp Theatre, the show mixes puppetry with actors. According to co-producer Louise Callow, young audiences have no trouble identifying puppet and actor as one character. ‘One of the things we’re very careful about at Scamp is that we don’t patronise the children,’ she says. ‘And it never ceases to amaze us how children as young as three just get it straight away.’
That said, the show also has a warmth and humour aimed at parents. ‘Adults love it,’ says Callow. ‘But they don’t expect to. And the lovely thing is they come out going, “Wow, I really enjoyed that too,” which I think surprises them.’ (Amy Russell) ■ Udderbelly’s Pasture, 0844 545 8252, 7–30 Aug (not 16), 12.30pm, £10–£11 (£8–£9). Previews 5 & 6 Aug, 12.30pm, £6.
PENGUIN Interactive puppet fun
When writer and puppeteer Polly Dunbar creates her picture books, she’s got one eye on the page – and the other on the stage. ‘Although I’m not directly thinking of puppets whilst writing,’ she says, ‘I do keep performance in mind. Picture books are like little theatre pieces, which adult readers perform to children. So the easier the story is to act out, the more enjoyable it is for everyone.’
50 THE LIST 5–12 Aug 2010
All those who saw Dunbar and her company Long Nose Puppets’ wonderful production of Shoe Baby will know that making things enjoyable comes naturally to her. Aimed at ages 2–7, Dunbar’s new adaptation, Penguin, features puppets made from recycled materials and tells the tale of a small boy who longs for his toy penguin to speak.
‘A crazy jamboree ensues,’ says
Dunbar, ‘and the puppets and audience join together in their quest to make the Penguin talk. But it simply blinks – until the end, but that’s the surprise!’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 7–29 Aug (not 16 & 25), 11.20am, £7–£8 (£6–£7). Previews until 6 Aug, 11.20am, £5.
THE LIST OPERATORS FOR KIDS Aussie comic duo out for fun
The List Operators for Kids have taken Australia by storm and are now preparing to face the Fringe with a show that dares to be funny, energetic, rude and absolutely 100% not educational in the slightest.
Double act Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins are set on a comedy that’s simply fun and not trying to push a moral lesson. ‘We’re more into the idea that we can do a really, really entertaining show for kids,’ says Kelly,
through its atmospheric new show, Tortoise in a Nutshell aims to evoke the feeling of life underground.
‘There’s something almost mythical in the idea that there are abandoned caverns beneath our feet that were once full of activity but are now quiet,’ says artistic director Ross MacKay. ‘Mining is a huge part of our heritage and it’s amazing to see how many towns and villages were built around coal mines, how strong the community was and how it’s still present today.’
Based around the idea of acceptance and moving on, The Last Miner uses puppetry and a unique soundscape to depict an ex-miner still living down below. ‘The score gives the show an amazing sense of depth,’ explains MacKay, ‘that allows the audience to imagine the mine shaft extending well below their feet and beyond the walls of the auditorium.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Hill Street Theatre, 226 6522, 8–30 Aug (not 10, 17 & 24), 3pm, £7 (£5). Previews 5–7 Aug, 3pm, £5.
‘and not try and talk down to them and not have to teach them stuff.’ Using lists to kick-start the humour (of boring and not boring animals, of words people call their Nan, the list goes on . . . ) the show aims to get a giggle from young and old alike. ‘We want everyone to have a good time,’ says Higgins and, with a target age range of ‘five to 500 million’, they really do mean everyone. (Amy Russell) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 7–31 Aug (not 17), 2.30pm, £9 (£8). Previews until 6 Aug, 2.30pm, £5.
THE LAST MINER Puppetry underground
Once a vibrant industry, British coal mining has been relegated to museum shelves and miner’s memories. But
ARABIAN NIGHTS Deserts, dunes and donkeys
Books read during childhood can stay with you for ever and, if you’re as creative as talented puppeteer Andy Lawrence, lead to some highly entertaining shows. A regular visitor to the Fringe with his company Theatre of Widdershins, Lawrence is known for messing around with tales in the best possible way.
‘Most of the stories I adapt for the stage are ones I
loved as a child,’ he says. ‘The most important factor is being able to have fun with them – giving the puppets (often ridiculous) names and accents, warping the plot from time to time and looking for the humour in their situation.’ Arabian Nights was one such story Lawrence poured
over as a child, enchanted by the spice markets, scented gardens and jewels. But with so many stories
to choose from, he had to be selective. ‘I was keen to avoid those touched by panto or Disney,’ he explains. ‘So have ended up with three quite contrasting tales: The Dream, The Fool and His Donkey and The Fisherman and The Genie.’ Those who have seen his previous works will know
that Lawrence’s set and puppets are truly exceptional. Watching him open boxes and doors to reveal yet another character or location is a real joy – and totally absorbing.
‘I love the fact that children get completely immersed in the show,’ says Lawrence. ‘Their suspension of disbelief is so strong that the carpet really seems to fly or the fish actually swim around their heads.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, 9–30 Aug, 1pm, £7.50 (£5). Preview 7 Aug, 1pm, £5.