Final weekending…

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….

Second Week Highlights…

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 !

Imaginate Festival 28th May – 5th June

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……