list.co.uk/kids Previews | KIDS
HALLOWEEN CONCERT CHILDREN’S CLASSIC CONCERTS: BROOMSTICK RIDE Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 27 Oct; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 28 Oct.
For the past ten years, Children’s Classic Concerts (CCC) has had two hugely talented musicians with a propensity for silliness at its helm. Since their arrival in 2008, Owen and Olly (aka Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox) have dressed up, messed up (intentionally) and had a blast introducing the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to young audiences.
But all good things must come to an end, and later this year Cox will relocate
to the US, leaving Gunnell to forge ahead with a new format for the shows. As a fitting farewell during Broomstick Ride, his final appearance with CCC,
Cox will present a song he wrote for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, reworked for the occasion. Titled ‘We Can Fly’, the inspirational piece will feature new material created by disabled children working with Drake Music Scotland.
‘When I was first writing the song, I envisioned it being performed by a variety of children and adults all over the world,’ recalls Cox. ‘And the theme of “you can do anything, you just have to try” is important and a universal one. I hope this project, and this particular version of the song, really captures the essence of that.’ Alongside Cox’s swansong will be a suitably Halloween-esque programme of music and mayhem. ‘We’ve got a good selection of “flying' music” - so the Ride of the Valkyries as well as some Harry Potter,’ says Cox. ‘Myself and Owen have been brushing up on our broomstick flying technique, and of course we’ll have the usual singing and dancing, with fancy dress encouraged as always.’ (Kelly Apter)
COMEDY WHO STOLE FRANKENSTEIN’S BRAIN? The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 28 Oct
Of all the classic monsters from the pre-war Universal movie era, perhaps Frankenstein’s monster is the most comedic: Dracula is too sleazy, the Mummy is hard to make a connection with, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon is just a bit wet.
So, it’s only right that the lab experiment with a forehead scar and bolt through its neck should be the key figure for an afternoon of scary Halloween fun, ideally suited for kids aged 8–12.
‘Who Stole Frankenstein’s Brain? is a live radio play whodunnit for children,’ says co-creator Bex Johnson, who also stars in it alongside stand-up comedian Billy Kirkwood and actor Russell Coid. ‘It’ll be a fun-filled show which allows children to be “the detective” and solve the central mystery. Frankenstein is one of our favourite scary monsters. His height and appearance is not only amusing, but his patchwork-body of different pieces lends the character to humour and mystery.’
The show (a joint venture between The Stand and Poisoned Apple Productions) features lots of interactive capers, plus there’ll be a special prize for the best fancy-dress costume. ‘Audiences can expect to lots of fun and laughs, and a show where they need to use their brains to work out the thief,’ adds Johnson, who is also keen to reassure any grown-ups who fear it might be too scary for their wee ones. ‘There might be mild frights based on costumes and appearances, but mainly there will just be lots of silly things for the kids to get involved with.’ (Brian Donaldson)
DANCE THEATRE W-HAT ABOUT? Platform, Glasgow, Sat 13 Oct, and touring
It was the memory of her own grandfather taking her to dance school that prompted Italian choreographer Giulia Montalbano to make W-Hat About?, a new dance-theatre piece for children. Because regardless of the weather, or the steep stairs that kept
tripping him up, he was committed to getting her there safely. ‘This show is a celebration of all the grandparents who help us
grow-up, teach us to be brave and show us how to get back up after being knocked down,’ says Montalbano. ‘I love the idea that children are inspired by seeing their grandparents conducting normal daily activities. And by having a grandfather at the centre of this show, children can imagine their own grandparents in these situations.’
Montalbano co-founded Fuora Dance Project in 2014, and is now its artistic director. Aimed at children aged 4–10 and their families, W-Hat About? not only celebrates intergenerational relationships, but the language and culture of Scotland and Italy. ‘What the show conveys to children is that just because people
might struggle to communicate,’ says Montalbano, ‘there is a whole world of ways for us to try and understand each other.’
Alongside this message of togetherness, the production features a set filled with colourful hats. Keen to champion recent graduates whenever possible, Fuora recruited young designer Louise Worral to create a world for the three characters to inhabit. ‘Louise kept the set simple to match the simplicity of the show,
while still making it eye-catching for both a young and mature audience,’ explains Montalbano. ‘We use a giant hat as a chair, which reminds me of where my grandpa used to sit, and a bright wall made of stretchy fabric representing a wardrobe. ‘We want the audience to feel like they are in the grandfather’s
home, but to also feel that the world the performers create is beautiful, engaging and magical.’ (Kelly Apter)
1 Sep–31 Oct 2018 THE LIST 69