Festival Kids list.co.uk/festival

POTTED PANTO You’ve seen Aladdin, Mother Goose and Cinderella now see all three, plus four more, squeezed into 70 minutes of dynamic mayhem. Performed by CBBC’s Dan and Jeff, the duo who brought us Potted Potter and Potted Pirates, this fast- paced romp will have you feeling Christmassy in no time. Of particular interest is how they manage to play all seven dwarfs . . . Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 30 Aug (not 25), 2.50pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).

music@list.co.uk Hitlist FESTIVAL KIDS *

✽✽ Arabian Nights Delve inside three of Scheherazade’s 1001 tales, or more importantly, inside another superb set from Theatre of Widdershins. Discover beautifully crafted puppets, flying carpets and exotic aromas from these Fringe favourites. See review, page 53. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, until 30 Aug, 1pm, £7.50 (£5). ✽✽ Wee Willie Gray Robert Burns’ tiny verse is turned into an hour of magical storytelling by the talented Foolish Notion, with live music and lots of imaginative participation. See review, page 52. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, until 30 Aug (not 23), 10.30am, £7.50 (£5). ✽✽ White This charming new show from Catherine Wheels, aided by puppeteer Shona Reppe, is the perfect choice for the pre-school Fringe-goer. See review, page 53. Traverse @ Scottish Book Trust, 228 1404, until 29 Aug (not 23), 10.30am & 1.30pm, £6 (£5). ✽✽ Twinkle Twonkle The team who brought you The Gruffalo returns with another engaging story. This time they’ve turned their telescope to outer space and the Big Bang, all wrapped up in your favourite nursery rhymes. Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, until 30 Aug (not 25), 2pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50). ✽✽ Stick Man Julia Donaldson’s picture book about the wooden fellow whose morning jog goes pear shaped, turned into a lively stage show Udderbelly’s Pasture, 08445 458 252, until 30 Aug, 12.30pm, £10–£11 (£8–£9). ✽✽ Hairy Maclary and Friends Five fluffy dogs cause chaos in this lively musical adaptation of Lynley Dodd’s popular picture books. See review, page 52. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 29 Aug, 10.40am, £9 (£7). For Festival Index see page 128.

19–26 Aug 2010 THE LIST 51

5QUESTIONS

Comedian Patrick Monahan answers our 5 Questions

5 reasons why people should come to your Fringe show Because kids will get upset if they don’t see it; It’s not just for kids adults love it as well; water pistols are involved; if you’ve never danced before in a show this is your chance now; because 4-year-olds and 74-year-olds can share a laugh (at the same joke). 4 favourite things about taking part in the Fringe Performing to people of all different ages, sizes and nationalities only at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will you have a room of 150 people from 27 different countries and of 32 different cultures; being able to walk to your venue to perform or walking home and on the way seeing over half a dozen different street performers entertaining you; going to see different theatre, music and comedy shows that would never have toured

anywhere near my home town!; walking round town and pretending to be a moving statue on the Royal Mile, or a tour guide and seeing how many tourists you can get to follow you! 3 other kids shows you hope to see while you’re here The Comedy Club for Kids at the Bongo Club; Seymour Mace’s afternoon show; James Campbell’s comedy songs for kids.

2 words to sum up your show

Dancing; crystals/water.

1 thing you hope children will take away from it A love for reading and listening to stories and tales (and I hope they stop taking away my water pistols from the show I lost four in the first weekend). Patrick Monahan Stories and Tales for Kids Who Can Run Faster Than Snails, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 29 Aug (not 23 & 24), 3.15pm, £7–£8 (6–£7).