A-E
F-I
J-M
N-R
S-Z

(A-E) 4 out of 19

Rating Guide
None = Unmissable
= Unwatchable
Page number refers to the Fringe programme

Circus Starr. (Page 9)

Fizzy Pops None Needed.
Venue Meadow Theatre Big Tops (Venue 189).
Address The Meadows, Melville Drive.
Guest Reviewers The Grants. Scott with his children Aiden and Iona Grant.

The Spiderman - Circus Starr. © photographer.

Children today have been brought up on a diet of digital miracles. Hollywood special effects have turned superhuman feats into daily occurances. With this in mind, I was curious to see how my two children would react to their first trip to the Big Top. Circus Starr was the perfect place to begin, blending as it does the traditional Circus acts with blockbuster heros. No safety nets, and no special effects, yet Spiderman still swung high in the air, to tremendous applause.

Circus Starr is a wonderful show. Adults and children alike could only marvel at the seemingly impossible feats of balance performed by the show opener Orlando Oprescu, and as the acts progressed, we all became children again. Vladimir Svolvo's trampolining professor had us all in stitches (and, I would be surprised if he himself didn't earn a few...) We saw Spiderman, for real, and watched they guys from the Matrix fly through the air. The Clowns held us in the palms of their hands, and had us roaring and laughing in equal measure (this _must_ be the loudest show of the year...).

And how did Circus Starr compare to Hollywood? Lets ask the experts:

Aiden (age 8)
The Circus gets 10 out of 10. It was amazing to see real people doing all these amazing things. It was real, not just on the TV. I think all kids should get to go to the circus.

Iona (age 4)
"I really loved it. I didn't have a favorite, everything was my favorite. Spiderman was the best and so was the professor, and the clowns and the jumping see-saw men. Can we go again tomorow please?"

Scott Grant (Father)
Move over Lord of the Ring, these guys are the Masters of the Ring.
© The Grants August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Runs to 4 September Daily at 2.30pm and 6.30pm till 16 (No 2.30pm performance on Sunday 8th August) 17 till to 4 September
Weekdays - 4.45pm and 7pm Sats/Suns - 2.30pm and 6.30pm.
Company – Urban Curcus Ltd.

Dancing with Dragons.

Scotland's Other National drink - One glassfull.
Venue C Chambers Street (Venue 34).
Address Chambers Street.
Reviewer Georgina Merry.

Seated by a forest campfire a group of travelling storytellers recount the folk tales they have heard from across Asia and the South Pacific. There are birds from New Zealand, an Indonesian giant and a tiger - just a few of the many wonderful characters in this show.

It's an enchanting performance suitable for even the very young. The simple, earthy presentation combined with traditional Asian music creates a soft, timeless and magical atmosphere. Dressed as peasant folk, the four performers, skilfully play out the many colourful characters. Their larger-than-life movements and facial expressions are eye-catching. Captivating and effective use of simple costumes and props is made. This small venue allows the performers to interact with the audience, bringing an welcome intimate feel to the show.

This magical celebration of Asian folklore is wonderful. It succeeds in representing that region's theatre in a positive light. It also allows a modern audience to experience what entertainment would have been like before the age of technology. A imaginative children’s play and production.
©Georgina Merry 6 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Runs to 14 August at 10:30am.
Company – I Theatre.
Company Website www.itheatre.org/dancing.htm


Dogman. (Page 9).

Fizzy Pops None needed.
Venue Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14).
Address 13 Bristo Square.
Guest Reviewer Rowan Smith.

Dogman is a superb show, written by John Dowie, with great audience participation. Even though it's a kids show, when funny things happen quite often some of the loudest laughers are adults. It really is a show suitable for the whole family. There are lots of very catchy and easy to sing along songs in the show by Neil Innes. This cast of comedians are all very good with small children. With the show being an hour long you might not think wee kids would be able to sit through it, but they all get so gripped by it there is no trouble. It's a show not to be missed.
© Rowan Smith (Aged 11) August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Company – Gilded Balloon Prods & Double Take.


Emily and the Jabberwocky. (Page 10).

Drams soft one please for kids.
Venue Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49).
Address 11b Bristo Place.
Reviewer Sarah Jane Murray.

In the world of nonsense, nothing is as it should be. Fittingly, Edinburgh University Theatre Company's new kids' show turns the expected on its head. Firstly, this is a show aimed at ages 4 and upwards - yet here is a grown adult chuckling away louder than many of the tikes in the audience. And secondly, despite its status as a student production, this slick, entertaining and clever show could shadow many more well-established companies.

Sarah Cook's new piece takes Lewis Carroll as its inspiration. The show attempts to tie up all the loose ends left in his Through The Looking Glass, and find out what happened next. While Carroll's Alice is absent, we have some new heroes in our hands. Emily and her erstwhile lily-livered companion the prince set out on a quest to seek the Jabberwocky. The monster is their only hope of restoring Nonsense to the land, following the Red Queen's banning of all things silly.

Day-glo hangings frame the stage, and the players (and monsters) all wear costumes adorned with UV fabric. While lights-out may normally scare younger children, here there is nothing to fear. As the stage lights dim, Looking Glass Land becomes a positive disco of light and colour, the UV materials casting a magical fluoro wash over the scene.

An original score, and a talented set of comics who inject both energy and warmth into proceedings, make this one show where nonsense really is worth paying attention to.
©Sarah Jane Murray 5 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Runs to 21 August, not Saturday 7 or Sundays, at 11.30.
Company - Edinburgh University Theatre Company.
Show Website www.emilyandthejabberwocky.co.uk

(A-E) 4 out of 19