Category Archives: Uncategorized

Imaginate – Children’s Festival 24th May – 1st June

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I am a bit late writing about this – blame that on my recent adventures at Knockengorroch festival ! But the wonderful Imaginate festival has started in Edinburgh this week and is well worth checking out.

Featuring shows for children aged 0 – 14 and in a variety of venues around the city, there is surely something for everyone !!

I’m off to see The Show For Young Men, The Pale Baron and Double You with my boy over the next few days….very much looking forward to all of these …

Would love to hear any of your recommendations too !

Treasure Island

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On a dreich evening in Edinburgh, we loved being whisked away on this swashbuckling adventure in a highly imaginative adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s much loved tale…

The story starts within a home for reformed pirates in Edinburgh, adding some local charm and humour to the narrative, and pirate ships and seas transformed before our very eyes in a creative and ever-changing set. The cast of six energetically perform sea shanties a plenty, displaying talents on a myriad of instruments which adds extra vibrancy to the performance. Whilst the story leads through the twists and turns of the assembled motley pirate crew, aiming to find the ultimate prize on the island of Orkney, the second half lost some pace and energy, but for our mini-reviewers, a clever puffin puppet was a stand out cast member and kept them captivated !

Slow motion fights, catchy songs, a raging storm and a perfectly adorable puffin make this a total festive treat…

My mini reviewer said ‘ …I liked the start, with the characters sitting down to listen to a story. The storm was cool too, but the puffin was best ..”

On at the Lyceum until 4th January – read here for more information.

Edinburgh Big Beach Busk 2024 – Saturday 31st August

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The festival may be coming to an end, but there’s still lots of fun to be had !

This Saturday Portobello prom will once again host the Big Beach Busk. Let’s hope for some good weather !

From noon until 6pm…

As always, anyone can join in, you don’t need to ask, it doesn’t have to be music – anything that entertains is the key !

Most importantly – have fun !!

One Week Left….2024

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And just like that we are suddenly facing the last full week of the festival….wowsers, that’s come round quick, and several shows have sadly already finished their runs.

There is still plenty of time to get out and about and have lots of fun though. The pleasance kidzone is still up and running and a good place to spend some time with the kids, doing arts and crafts and perhaps squeezing in a show. The book festival has opened and has lots of family friendly activities and events too.

Some of our top show recommendations that are still on for another week are :

Cartoooon !! – This Japanese comedy duo hit the nail on the head when it comes to the perfect combination between hilarious clowning, and circus entertainment. Their unicycling acrobatic skills were like nothing we have seen before.

Ten Thousand Hours – Absolutely mesmerising acrobatics. The eight performers are highly skilled and will keep anyone of any age completely engaged. Jaw dropping stuff.

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Tom Brace: The Ride 4D – Take a trip to Tomland and be amazed by the rides, tricks and 4d features !!

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Children Are Stinky – A wacky and playful cocktail of jokes, hi-jinx, physical comedy and impressive acrobatics ! Loved the 90s soundtrack too ! Entertains wee ones and grown ups alike.

For older children :

Suitcase Show (12+) – Wowsers. I loved, loved, loved this show. Such clever use of light, shadows, sound and suitcases. An evocative, eerie tale that is pure escapism from everything else…brilliant storytelling.

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Murder, She Didn’t write (14+) – Hilarious improvised whodunnit, where you get to play detective and point your finger of suspicion. Different every night with hilarious consequences…we loved it!

Second week highlights 2024

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Goodness, time is really running away with us this fringe ! Schools are back, which means its getting trickier to catch all the shows we’d like to, and a handful of productions are finishing this weekend…

Our older mini-reviewer has returned from a residential away, so has been out and about seeing a few shows and lapping up the festival vibes and our wider team have been busy too ! We’ve been updating all of our reviews here.

You can also see what we’re getting up to more regularly, by following our instagram page here.

Some top picks from the past few days have been :

Cartoooon !! – This Japanese comedy duo hit the nail on the head when it comes to the perfect combination between hilarious clowning, and circus entertainment. Their unicycling acrobatic skills were like nothing we have seen before.

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Circus – the Show – This is a high energy, bellyful of circus entertainment complete with clown, juggler, acrobat and magician. The ringmaster holds everything together with skilful banter and the help of his astounding moustache!

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Children are Stinky – A wacky and playful cocktail of jokes, hi-jinx, physical comedy and impressive acrobatics ! Loved the 90s soundtrack too ! Entertains wee ones and grown ups alike.

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For older children –

Six Chick Flicks (14+) – Alternatively, succinctly titled: ‘a Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing a Notebook on the Titanic’…this is a fast paced, hilarious, quick witted and feminist show..

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Yuck Circus (14+) – Yuck Yeah !!! These strong, skilled, funny and fearsome women were AWESOME ! Such a refreshing hour of circus, that doesn’t take itself too seriously, whilst managing to offer social commentary on toxic masculinity and negative traits we could all do without in society just now…

Suitcase Show (12+) – Wowsers. I loved, loved, loved this show. Such clever use of light, shadows, sound and suitcases. An evocative, eerie tale that is pure escapism from everything else…brilliant storytelling.