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Fantastic Friday…..

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I had a great day yesterday at the festival, starting with seeing Sticks Stones Broken Bones by the brilliant Bunk Puppets. This was a real gem of a show, quirky, imaginative and perfect for children. The shadow puppet is totally captivating and older children would enjoy being able to see all the mundane objects that are transformed into the characters on screen…..well work a look.

This was followed by the most awe inspiring, fantastic and motivating Glasgow Girls – this is one for older children/teenagers – recommended for ages 12 and above. I know they want to encourage more young people to see this show and it’s clear to see why – it’s a powerful tale – well, actually true story of a group of seven ‘fiesty’ friends at High School in Glasgow, who decide to do something and object when their friends start being taken away and affected by the dawn raids and deportations. Excellent choreography, brilliant singing, some Scottish humour, very current and timely topic, delivering an important message……everyone should be seeing this show.

Cool, Creative Circus…

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If you haven’t made it down to check out Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, I think should definitely do it this weekend ! There are loads of great family shows on there to entertain everyone ….

Highlights including :

The Hogwallops – Great for kids, and back from their run last year – this madcap family take you on a journey through birthdays, washing and baking cakes. Based on Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’ , this show is loads of fun for everyone.

Trash Test Dummies – I love these guys – three lovable Australian acrobats who do some amazing things with the mundane wheely bin, a bit of acrobatics, juggling, clowning, music and ….mayhem !

 

Bedtime Stories – This is a beautiful and gentle piece of physical theatre, great for wee ones…you get to sit and lie down in cosy beds and snuggle under a blanket and watch the story unfold before your eyes of a little girl and her nighttime adventures with her friend ‘three’.

This next show isn’t in the Circus Hub but right behind in the Udderbelly…I loved this, having seen it twice and would highly recommend….

A Simple Space – Seven young, unbelievably talented acrobats push themselves to their physical limits and beyond in an awe-inspiring performance of supreme acrobatic ability, strength and skill. They manage to also make it playful and fun for the audience and is a delight to watch !

 

Bunk Puppets at the Fringe…

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If you’re looking for something a bit different and unique, I highly recommend checking out the two shows by Bunk Puppets at the Fringe this year – these are the guys that have previously brought us Swamp Juice and Slapdash Galaxy.  Using bits of rubbish, and household items, they create amazing shadow puppet shows like you’ve never seen before….it is really really worth checking out. Both shows are suitable for the whole family. – I am off to see both shows over the weekend and if they are anything like Slapdash Galaxy then I’m in for a real treat !

Tink Tank – On a dusty outback farm, the fates of a rooster, a cow, a blowfly and a baby collide. Using bits of rubbish and household junk, Hamish Fletcher and Jules Chapple create a shadow puppet universe on a farm. On everyday at 2pm until the 29th August

 

Sticks, Stone, Broken Bones – Flying chickens, brain transplants and sneaky ninjas.‘His imagination is glorious and this one-man show has so many characters and interesting situations that you can’t help but be captivated’….On everyday at 12.10 until the 29th August

Musical Magic….

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There are some great musical treats at the fringe for kids this year, and sometimes there is no better way than to start your day dancing….it makes you happy, gives you energy and is sure to leave a big smile on your face…

Here’s a short round up of some of the musical offerings this year:

  • Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dancehall – Why toddle when you can dance? This is part-show, part disco and is great for wee ones to have a boogie in the morning. We loved it….its on the next two weekends, for under 5’s – 19th-21st and 26th-28th.
  • Big Fish Little Fish – Ravin’ Fringe – Real DJs, in real clubs playing real music, free glow sticks and transfer tattoos. Features baby chill, sensory dance floor with glitter cannons, giant balloons, bubbles and a legendary parachute dance. For ages 0-8. On the next two Sundays – the 21st and 28th. 
  • Nick Cope’s Family Songbook – A lovely melodic start to any festival day – featuring songs about dragons, pirates and poo ! A real gem of musical delights. On until the 21st (not the 17th-as he’s at the book festival that day, so see him there instead !)
  • Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids – Shlomo is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just his mouth and a mic. Join this sonic superhero and become one of his sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged one or 101! Be quick – only on today – the 15th and tomorrow the 16th…

Second Week Highlights…

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So, it’s been another whirlwind of a week at the festival and I’m loving it ! (I’m also slightly looking forward to all the sleep I hope to be getting in September !) The Book Festival is also now officially open, so you’ve got another space to go and hang out in and check out all the fun activities and events for kids….

I’ve seen some great shows this week (check out my reviews) and have loved pretty much all of them, my highlights being :

  • The Many Doors of Frank Feelbad – I absolutely LOVED this show, it’s brilliant and beautiful and brave and charming….check out this post for more details – an immersive show about loss and all the big feelings surrounding it. (Bring a hanky!)
  • 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.
  • A Simple Space – Seven young, unbelievably talented acrobats push themselves to their physical limits and beyond in an awe-inspiring performance of supreme acrobatic ability, strength and skill. They manage to also make it playful and fun for the audience and is a delight to watch !
  • Trash Test Dummies – I love these guys – three lovable Australian acrobats who do some amazing things with the mundane wheely bin, a bit of acrobatics, juggling, clowning music and ….mayhem !