First Week….2023

Oh my goodness…it feels like it’s been way longer than a week already; we’ve been busy getting out and about and enjoying a huge variety of shows and loving all the festival vibes! Check out our first reviews here.

We’ve seen some astounding magic, some hilarious comedy, fantastic puppetry and bubbly bubbles ! Some of our top picks are :

The Listies Make Some Noise – Laugh out loud from start to finish…expect the usual Listies silliness and mayhem…highly recommended for all ages..

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Magic Gareth: Level Up ! – Embark on an adventure to save a cute unicorn from their evil twin, with a sprinkling of magic along the way…

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Adventure Bubble Show With Milkshake – A total bubble extravaganza with engaging storytelling, slapstick comedy moments and a good dollop of the “wow” factor…

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For the older children out there, I caught a snippet of Ben Harts show at the List festival launch party and loved it – we’re booking in to see it soon…

Pleasance Kidszone 2023

The Pleasance Kidzone is back – celebrating its 12th year in Edinburgh. This year there’s twelve fantastic shows for children and families – all information on them can be found here..

The famous Pleasance Kidzone has a brand new theatre (The Green) and cafe, together with their legendary weather-proof arts and crafts tents, offering all sorts of imaginative and creative activities to entertain the kids while you have a coffee and browse the fringe programme !

We love the Kidzone as an escape from the hustle and bustle and to get creative with all the activities on offer at a very reasonable cost…definitely worth checking out and combining with one of the great kids shows on this year featuring magic, science adventures, Shakespeare and even opera!

Open 10.30am – 5.30pm daily, 2nd – 28th August, at 60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ.

Terrific Tinderbox…

If you’ve not seen the Tinderbox Orchestra yet, then you’re in for a real treat ! Tinderbox is building a vibrant and eclectic community of young musicians and artists in Scotland.

Bringing together rappers and singers with soaring strings, heavy brass, woodwind and a thundering back-line, Tinderbox transform preconceptions of what an orchestra can be.

Packed with original music, movement and unexpected collaborations, their new show will transform Edinburgh’s iconic Central Library into a unique new music venue.

Not to be missed…..

House of Oz is back for 2023 !

Returning for 2023 is the fantastic Australian venue – House of Oz. We loved this place last year, and the outback area where we got great food and drinks and could hang out in between shows.

There’s two great family offerings this year :

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Beetle

Even the smallest voices matter. A new Australian classic, Beetle tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for the now elusive Christmas Beetle. A family show from acclaimed physical theatre artists, Legs On The Wall.

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The Listies Make Some Noise

An insane mixtape of silly songs, stupid sketches and crazy clowning! For over a decade the award-winning Listies have toured the world doing shows for literally gazillions of kidults (that’s kids and their adults). Now it’s your turn. The Listies Make Some Noise is a comedy concert for humans aged 4-400. Join the maestros of mirth Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to 11.

Fringe By The Sea – 4th – 13th August 2023

So, we may not quite have had the sunshine back in the last week or so, but fingers crossed it returns in time for this fantastically located festival, bringing us the seaside and some of our festival favourites…

Fringe By The Sea is returning to its North Berwick location and looks set to be full of entertaining shows, workshops and more for families – check out the programme here.

Some of our top picks for children and families are :

Adventures with Abi Elphinstone – From dog-sledding in the Arctic to living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia, children’s author Abi Elphinstone will be talking about the real-life adventures behind her stories. She’ll be speaking about her latest book, Saving Neverland –complete with moonpaper maps, frostbears and a woolly mammoth called Armageddon.

North Berwick Youth Project Stop Motion Film Making – Join us on a nature scavenger hunt. We’ll use our finds as props to make a short animation film. Open to P7s to 18 years.

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Bioblitz – Mini Rockpool Ramble – Discover the amazing wildlife that can be found in the rockpools of North Berwick! You’ll be amazed by the variety of life and the different adaptations of the creatures you meet. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must dress appropriately for the shore . Family friendly.

Think Circus Takeover – Spin, twirl and juggle with fun and accessible circus workshops from Think Circus, Edinburgh’s social circus. Learn the basics of juggling, hula hoop, balancing, plate spinning and more! Suitable for ages 5+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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Samba Drumming Workshop – Fresh from their visit to New York city leading the Tartan Day parade, the Pulse of the Place samba band are coming to Fringe by the Sea, and they’re offering you the chance to join in. This workshop will be high energy and full of funky carnival grooves. Come and join the party! Ages 8+. Under 10s must be accompanied by an adult.