|
|
|
|
|
|
| Edinburgh : A&E : Festivals : Fringe reviews |
|
 Childrens |
Rating Guide None = Unmissable 
= UnwatchablePage number refers to the Fringe programme James Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids (Page 11). Drams .Venue Assembly Rooms (Venue 3). Address Assembly Rooms, 54 George St. Reviewer Kim Oliver. What is impressive about Campbell's act is its ability to be subversive without resorting to the most obvious tactics of swearing and discussing anything for the sake of its political incorrectness. It also demonstrates how it is possible to include children in the comedy category of the Fringe without reverting to cheesiness and gimmicks.Campbell's stage presence is unpretentious and self- effacing. He is considered alternative, but retains the ability to poke fun at the pretensions of 'alternative' culture. The mundane and surreal collide effortlessly. In a typically good aside about his mum knitting herself a new man (his stepfather) she later unravels him to make a new cardigan for Campbell whose response is to say "I can't wear you - your'e not my real cardigan". The material veers in a risque direction, with Campbell apparently egged on by chortling dads who are having an unexpectedly good time. Is it suitable for anyone of any age ? Those who need convincing may rest their assumptions on the premise that comedy material specifically for kids should be dumbed down and presented in a certain way. But talent entertains all, and children are very quick to recognise it. They also make highly unforgiving critics. Keeping a hall filled with kids attentive for an hour is no mean feat and Campbell manages superbly. ©Kim Oliver 11 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 6 - 16, 18 - 30 at 12.25pm (1hr). Fiery Angel, Mark GoucherLtd and E.V.A.
Jazz Mouse. (Page 11). Drams .
Venue Assembly Rooms (Venue 3). Address 54 George Street. Reviewer Sarah Jane Murray. A children’s show about a jazz-playing mouse may not be the most obvious form of therapy on offer at this year’s Fringe. However - for this reviewer - Jazz Mouse was a truly cathartic experience. As our heroine recounts childhood piano lessons with her terrifyingly strict teacher, my own memories of the fear of weekly violin lessons came creeping out of the dark corner they had been banished to. Eight years of scolding for not having practised endless scales has resulted in a lifelong revulsion of most stringed instruments. Thankfully, Ailie Cohen’s sprightly show demonstrated that music practise need not instil such fear. With the aid of a Parisian rodent, Cohen,shows that by loosening up the dull classical repertoire – and learning to swing, baby - music practise can actually be fun. This one-woman/one-mouse show is a swirl of puppetry, live-action and music, and Cohen skips back and forth from each with subtlety and ease. The puppets are finely-tuned in detail, although it is advisable to sit near to the front in order to clearly see them. Laughs are catered by Jazz Mouse and his furry cohorts and - as with all great jazz artistes – their timing is spot-on. Cohen is a warm performer and a skilled musician. Yet the show could benefit from more audience engagement. In order for the joy of jazz to be appreciated by more than simply parents accompanying children, perhaps the audience could be invited to join in with the catchy choruses. That way, this reviewer could be given the chance to actively curb those music-lesson demons once and for all. ©Sarah Jane Murray 11 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 30 August, not Mondays, at 11.30. Company – Ailie Cohen.
The Magic Quest. (Page no 11) Scotland's other National drink None. Venue Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden. (Venue No 121) Address Old Church Lane, Duddingston Village. Reviewer Georgina Merry. This fun packed garden adventure is ideal for a sunny day. It will have the children singing and skipping and the adults laughing. The beauty of Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden seems magical in itself, but the nearby loch and the view of Arthur’s Seat make this a truly exquisite experience. Corrieburn, the Scots speaking Elf, leads the way in a hunt for clues to preserve her homeland. She must find the Draigan* o’ Duddingston - the only one who can defeat the evil goblins who plan destroy the area. The children are asked to help in her quest, and soon they are meeting all kinds of magical folk. Weather permitting, this treat of a play should definitely be experienced. The cast are superb and they work well with the children. Catch it while you still can! *Draigan - (Scots) Dragon. ©Georgina Merry August 10 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 15 at 11:00 on 11-14, 14:30 on 8, 15. Not 9-10 Company THEATRE ALBA mpr. Company Website www.theatrealba.ukvintage.co.uk
Martha. (page 11). Drams None - this is a top children's show. Venue Scotland’s Theatre Gateway (Venue 7). Address Elm Row. Reviewer Sarah Jane Murray. Watching a Catherine Wheels production is akin to the childhood pleasure of playing with a cardboard box, which – turned upside-down or inside out - magically becomes a spaceship or a submarine. There is nothing overtly complex or hi-tech about their shows – rather, they marry simple design with imaginative storytelling. With what emerges, the audience is gently eased towards the suspension of disbelief. We are all transported to the small seaside abode in which Martha lives, alone. One day misery-bag Martha is visited by a goose, eager to make friends . . . Catherine Wheels’ debut show returns to home soil – following an international tour which took in Broadway. It is easy to see why the show has been such a success. Its modest story is comfortably understood, and there is plenty going on visually. Martha’s ramshackle hut is a tardis of knooks and crannies, and there are plenty of sight gags peppering the action. Choreography is firm, and only the bare minimum of dialogue is used. The story is largely told through Pauline Knowles’ sincerely expressive features, and the strong puppetry of Rick Conte, at the helm of Goose. Catherine Wheels make children’s theatre look so effortless, it’s easy to forget the talent necessary to make such quality theatre. While last year’s wartime drama Lifeboat offered more challenging issues for the younger audience to contend with, Martha focuses on a simpler tale of the virtues of friendship. However, while its message may be lucid, it does not underestimate its audience. Martha serves up a universal message, wrapped up in eloquent dramaturgy, ingenious design, and topped with a fine slice of laughs. ©Sarah Jane Murray 9 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 29 August, not 10 August and not Mondays, at 11.00. Company – Catherine Wheels Theatre Company. Company Website www.catherinewheels.co.uk
The Mole who knew it was none of his Business (Page 12). Drams
.Venue C Too(Venue 4). Address St Columba's by the Castle, Johnston Terrace. Reviewer Neil Ingram. Ideally suited to 4-5 year olds, this is a charming tale. If your children are interested in animals and bodily functions, they'll love this. And I guess that covers pretty well all the kids I know, and probably their parents as well. Mole, Naomi Kerbel, gets up one morning, and as he stretches and looks around, something lands on his head. It's brown, smells pooey and is definitely none of his business! So he sets off to find out who's business it is, and meets a succession of other animals, played by Iain Stuart Dootson and Cheryl Felgate, all of whom explain that it could not have been them that did it. I particularly liked the cow, but she did compliment my singing, and fluttered her eyelashes at me. With songs and actions, and lots of movement, this is a super show for all the family, and you'll learn a lot as well about how the animals go about their business. © Neil Ingram 21 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 30 at 12.30. Company – Kipper TIE. Company Website www.molesbusiness.com
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
