Second week highlights 2024

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.

Top Five Shows for the even bigger little ones 2023 !

So, I started this blog ten years ago, and naturally my mini-reviewers have grown quite a bit over that time (one is even taller than me now – eek !). As they have grown older, I have started to look for shows for the in between, teenage stage- beyond the shows directly aimed at children, and shows not quite totally for adults….it’s been tricky, but we continue to explore within this range and I’m always keen to hear your suggestions too. There is of course, circus, dance, magic which all ages will enjoy…but other options are always great…

We’ve picked a few from this year’s offerings which look good for those slightly older children in your lives :

What Girls Are Made Of – For age 12+, I missed this last time, so am delighted it’s back ! The smash-hit, gig show returns, charting the true story of Cora Bissett’s journey from 90s indie-kid to wised-up woman. Touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur, she was living the dream. Until she wasn’t. With a live band, Cora celebrates life’s euphoric highs and epic lows, asking what wisdom we should pass to the next generation, and which glorious mistakes we should let them make.- 4th – 27th August (not 9th/14th/21st)

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder – Age 12+ – Again, we never managed to see this last year, mainly as it was always sold out ! But again, excited to catch it (hopefully!) this time round…BFFs Kathy and Stella are Hull’s least successful true crime podcasters. When their favourite author is killed, they are thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own! Can they crack the case (and become global podcast superstars) before the killer strikes again…?  – 2nd – 27th August (not 9th/14th/21st)

Pete Heat: Huge – Age 12 + – Combining both magic and comedy, this looks intriguing and very fun, and its always good to check something new out this month!….Sharp, charmingly surreal and joyously unhinged, this hilarious modern magic show will break your brain into cute little pieces. – 2nd – 27th August (not 15th )

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YUCK Circus – Age 12 +…again these guys have been here before, and I’ve caught a snippet of their show at a festival party and it was joyous and colourful and fantastic, so I’m looking forward to seeing the entire thing this time round ! High-flying acrobatics, absurd confessions and groovy dancing – all smashed together with their trademark ripper comedy. – 2nd – 28th August (not 14th/21st)

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The Dark Room for Kids! – Age 11 + …You and your family are stuck inside a live-action videogame! How will you escape?! Will you: A) Find light switch? B) Go north? C) Explode in a shower of stinking guts? An interactive adventure featuring terrible prizes and total mayhem! – 2nd – 27th August (not 15th )