Category Archives: shows for babies

Shows for the littlest little ones….

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Once again this year at the Festival they are including a large sprinkling of shows for the even smaller little children ! It’s fantastic to see such a variety of shows aimed for this age group, primarily the under threes and great to see that they are able to be introduced to the arts in such an accessible and enjoyable way !!

I’ve narrowed my picks down to the following five shows, but there are even more out there if you’ve got a very small little one and are looking to explore the festival and get fully involved this year.

BambinO – BambinO is a first operatic adventure for six to 18-month-olds and their carers. This unique and colourful work reinvents opera for children at an age when their minds are wide open to new sounds, images and experiences. Babies are free to explore during the performance, interacting with singers, musicians and each other.   8th – 20th August (not 14th)

 

Snigel and Friends – Dancebase brings this lovely looking production for children under 12 months. Join Snigel, the inquisitive snail, in their cosy home underneath the leafy canopy; a colourful and sensory world where Snigel’s insect friends come to visit, brought to life by dancers. They dance, play, sing and make music in the undergrowth while uncovering secret treasures.   4th – 27th August (not 7th/14th/18th-21st)

 

Nick Cope’s Family Songbook -You’re never too young to be introduced to Nick Cope ! If you’ve read this blog before, you’ll know we’re huge fans – we love his melodic, catchy tunes and loved his morning show last year. I’m delighted to see him return with even more of his gorgeous songs. With songs about dogs eating soap and dragons called Keith rummaging around second hand shops, this will be a firm family favourite for sure !   2nd-20th August

 

Calvinball – Ipdip Theatre are returning after their success with Head in the Clouds to bring Calvinball back to the Botanics !! Lively, musical and slightly wild, this unique theatre experience draws on the natural curiosities of children inviting, but not demanding, participation. Inspired by the anarchic game played by Calvin and Hobbes; we know the rules must be out there somewhere but we need help in finding them. Set in the gorgeous Royal Botanic Garden it really will be outside so don’t forget to dress for the weather!  5th -27th August (not 8th/15th/22nd)

 

The Polar Bears Go Up  – This is for kids aged 2-5 and looks lovely and is part of the Made in Scotland showcase which makes it extra special too ! The Polar Bears are moving up in the world. They’ve lost their balloon and they need to get it back. It’s time to get up, step up, climb up, jump up. One thing’s for sure, the only way is up! These lovable Polar Bears are intrepid explorers, famous for their wild expeditions. Of course, they’ll stop for sandwiches on the way! 10th – 27th August (not 23rd)

 

 

Final weekending…

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So,…it’s been a jam packed few weeks and here we are, ready for the final weekend of the Fringe, and we’ve got the Portobello Big Beach Busk on Saturday 27th, the Book festival is still going strong and the Edinburgh Art Festival is finishing on Sunday too….so many choices ! If you’re still thinking of cramming in a few more shows, now’s the time to do it !

My final ten recommendations of shows still on this weekend would be :

  • The Many Doors of Frank Feelbad– Absolutely fantastic show, dealing with loss and the big feelings that surround this. Gentle, beautiful and brave…last show 28th August.
  • Children Are Stinky – Very fun and silly acrobatic and clown show from a lovable Australian Duo – featuring hula hoops, chairs and a fantastic soundtrack, lots of fun for the whole family !  Last show 29th..
  • 360 Allstars – Featuring some spectacular BMX tricks, brilliant basketball, impressive breakdancing and live beat-boxing – this show has something for everyone ! A jam packed hour of talented performers showing off their skills ! Last show on 29th…
  • Shark In The Park – Really enjoyable adaptation of the very popular books….featuring lots of singing, puppets and surprises. Last show on the 29th …
  • Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones – Using some inventive household objects, and even audience members shoes – this is a great little shadow puppet show. Featuring a few short stories in shadow puppetry…. Last show on 29th August.
  • The Bookbinder – an enchanting production, featuring imaginative storytelling and beautiful papercraft….about a Bookbinder’s apprentice who travels into a wonderful world to rectify a mistake. Last show on the 28th.
  • Beards ! Beards ! Beards ! – Ace show about a girl called Beatrix who wants to have a beard like all the wise and important men in history. Quirky and innovative with lots of great songs..one to catch for sure ! Last show on 28th.
  • Glasgow Girls – One for older children but absolute highlight of my fringe, fantastic musical about a very important and temporary topic of immigration and asylum seekers. Last show on 28th
  • Celeste’s Circus – One for younger children -this is a really sweet little show for under fives. Celeste takes us to the circus, using a lovely handmade set and featuring a cat, seal, dogs, hippo and elephant ! Last show the 28th August.

If you’re out and about – enjoy it !! And let’s hope the weather is also kind….

Shows for ‘littler’ little ones….

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My friend will be returning to visit this year with her (slightly bigger) baby, so I’ve done some research on suitable shows for littler children and it seems that this year rather brilliantly there are plenty of shows to choose from !

I think it’s great-it’s a good way to introduce children to theatre and fantastic that shows are being aimed at this age group and making them and their parents feel welcome !! The shows look like they will bring lots of exciting colours, textures and sounds to the festival too…..

Puzzle – I was lucky enough to see this last year (and wrote a review here) and thought it was captivating, colourful and charming !! A beautiful piece of younger children’s theatre exploring colours and shapes set to enchanting music composed especially for the age group.     August 5th – 20th (not 14th)

Hup – This musical piece for 0-24 month olds looks inspiring and fun – ‘two violins, one cello and one very mischievous raccoon.‘ ‘Both transfixing and mesmerizing, this relaxed and intimate delight of a performance is full of surprises geared right at tiny tots …’    August 11th – 28th (not17th/18th/24th)

Celeste’s Circus – Celeste warmly invites wee ones to join her circus trip.See the high-wire hippo, the peek-a-boo cat and a lovable seal performing for paper fish. This charming show is designed for 0-5 years and looks like alot of fun!  August  4th-16th (not 10th) and 19th-21st and 26th – 28th

 

Poggle -‘ Mischief maker, maker of fun. Tumble tumble, tickle my tum. Beasties beasties, buzzing bees, Poggle’s not scared of climbing trees. Vince wants to explore the forest but he’s too scared until he meets Poggle, a friendly creature who takes him on an adventure to the magical musical tree’. This dance theatre show with live music looks imaginative and unique…for ages 6 months – 4 years.     August 5th – 21st (not 8th/15th)

Head In The Clouds – This year’s offering by Ipdip who create performances especially for early years looks enchanting and sure to be fully immersive with sounds, touch, smell and visual treats. ‘Cirrus the dog has a serious job: he has to keep watch on the sheep. What to do when they lose themselves, drifting amongst the dancing clouds? How can he help these woolly-headed dreamers get back down to earth? ‘ For 0-5 years.                 August 8th – 28th (not 10th/17th/24th)

Nick Cope’s Family Songbook – We have been lucky enough to see Nick Cope a few times before and we have all enjoyed every single second- he sings gorgeous songs about everything from socks, supermarkets, bears and dragons. Audience participation is included and the kids will love him! If you haven’t heard his songs or seen his shows before, come and find out what you’re missing. For 0-8 years                                                                                   3rd-21st August (not 17th)

 

Imaginate Festival 28th May – 5th June

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Imaginate Festival

It’s that wonderful time of the year when the nights are getting lighter, the days are a little bit sunnier and festival season is just around the corner !

To warm us up before full festival season gets going, the Imaginate Festival is bringing some fantastic children’s theatre to Edinburgh.

One of the highlights looks to be the family fringe opening weekend, which is taking place at the National Museum of Scotland over the weekend of the 28th/29th May. There will be a host of free drop-in activities including storytellers, mini performances, hands on art activities and live music for everyone to enjoy.

The_Bookbinder-024-pm_53b_05514-A4I was particularly excited to see that The Bookbinder is coming to the Imaginate festival as I tried really hard to get tickets during the fringe and never managed and it had great reviews so is well worth checking out. ”A story of mystery, intrigue and charm.” Traverse Theatre 2nd-5th June.

 

UntitledFor the littler ones, the Blue Block Studio looks good to explore – offering an innovative, creative space for babies to listen, to explore, to build, to watch, to lie down, to look and to touch.

National Museum – 28th May – 3rd June

All the other performances look well worth checking out in this gem of a festival and a wonderful way to introduce kids to theatre……

 

Shows for even smaller little ones…

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I have got a friend visiting with her baby during the Fringe which has been the inspiration for this post but I know that it’s great to hear of a show or two that you can go to with a much younger child and feel welcomed, even better to go to a show aimed at that age group ! There are a handful of shows this year that appear to be created for much younger children and babies and I’ve selected five that look exciting…

Anonymouse – I’ve already mentioned this in my post about the Botanics -this show for ages 0-3 looks very enchanting, and as it’s musical and tactile seems perfect for wee ones!

Puzzle – From 17th – 22nd August this dance show looks worth a look, introducing colours and shapes to younger children – ‘Dancers crawl, creep and bounce, accompanied by specially created music suitable for children aged 0 to 3.’

Wriggle Around The World – Running from the 24th-29th August, this musical show for those aged 0-5 looks fun. ‘Recitals for Wrigglers’ are concerts especially tailored for babies and toddlers, delivered by a professional violinist and cellist- held in an informal environment where the children are allowed to move around.

Ali McGregor’s Jazzamatazz – Aimed at those aged 1-10, Ali McGregor returns with her award-winning hour of jazzy beats and trashy pop-treats that will get your kids singing, twisting and dancing. McGregor and her trio of incredible jazz musicians are joined by two dancers with rock’n’roll, swing and jive moves. Watch the little ones tire themselves out on the dancefloor….

The Amazing Bubbleman – I don’t know many little children that do not love bubbles, so already this show has a lot going for it !  An Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourite, this has sold out every year for the last eight years. From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornadoes and trampolines to people inside  bubbles……For ages 0-12