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| Edinburgh : A&E : Festivals : Fringe Reviews |
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 Childrens |
Rating Guide None = Unmissable 
= UnwatchablePage number refers to the Fringe programme The Shelter. (Page 14). Drams None. Venue Underbelly . (Venue 61). Address 56 Cowgate . Reviewer Pippa Tennant . This World War Two blast of a children’s production is skilfully scary stuff! As we are hurriedly ushered into The Shelter to escape the looming air raid, instructions fly round the room and the atmospheric tension of our war zone is established immediately. The kids were loving it! Faces lit up with wonder, fear and excitement – fully embracing their newly found roles, by shouting back to their cast comrades and even attempting to take part in the erratic talent contest. Bizarrely dark, this mysterious play is woven together with comical wicker, predominantly oozing from the stunning performance of Ross Devlin who ingeniously captures the quirky unpredictability of children. Appealing to all ages, this is a unique experience. Following two sell-out Fringe First award winning years, en masse theatre does not cease to amaze us with this new production. ©Pippa Tennant 19th August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 28th at 15:00 every day, (not 23rd) Company - en masse theatre. Company Website www.enmassetheatre.co.uk
Drams .Venue C Venue (Venue 34). Address 1 Chambers Street. Reviewer Neil Ingram. This is another of C Theatre's productions of Karina Wilson's direct yet inventive retellings of classic fairy tales. The familiar story, narrated by Alyssa Kyria, is played out on a simple yet effective set, designed by Lydia Hardiman with the magic mirror at its centre. The Queen, Frances Buckroyd, is icyly distant from her step-daughter Snow White After several further scary moments good does triumph over evil, but what is really distinctive about this production, directed by Chris Sudworth, is the clarity of the storytelling and the sudden dramatic changes of mood. If you think there is nothing new to be found in traditional tales, C Theatre's creative approach could surprise you - they're well worth seeing (Suitable for ages 5+). ©Neil Ingram 20 August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs 22, 24, 26 and 28 August at 11.20. Company C Theatre.
Drams .Venue Underbelly (Venue 61). Address 1 56 Cowgate. Reviewer Neil Ingram. Thanks to Johnny Depp and co. pirates are all the rage at present, and here's another jolly show about swashing and buckling. But with a pretty thin plot it's really just a way of bringing back the main characters from a previous show. The 5 smelly heroes decide they want be pirates, and end up plotting to capture a ship. But as it's on a lake in the local park, they don't get far, and the long arm of Inspector Mayhem soon catches up with them. And the show doesn't get far either, because after only 25 minutes it's all over. It's fun while it lasts, but there's just not enough of it to be worth recommending you should see it. ©Neil Ingram 21 August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs till 28 August at 11.30. Company - Oakham School.
Drams .or
a lemonade for the wee ones.Venue Royal Botanical Gardens. (Venue 193). Address Royal Botanical Gardens, 20a Inverleith Row. ReviewerAriadne Cass. You know a children's show is going to be good when you hear one of the show's youngest inhabitants loudly remark ten minutes in, 'This is very funny, isn't it?.' Stuck Up a Tree is indeed very funny, with some poignant story telling. With its animal characters and natural themes, the show is appropriate for its venue, the Royal Botanical Gardens. The actual space, the Exhibition Hall, is tiny, designed for child audiences. The atmosphere is intimate helping everyone overcome any shyness and participate. The themes and morals emphasise harmony between people and nature, and are aimed just as much at adults as children. There are a few sly winks towards the parents in the script, and I find myself wondering if it's appropriate to have a fairy godmother say 'bummer' in front of three-year-olds. This is, however, the only jarring note in an otherwise thoroughly nice production. This is a bright, physical piece, with some lovely singing and some variable guitar playing by a talented bunch of Edinburgh's Queen Margaret University College's students. Expect a colouring in package on arrival, and a balloon at the end! ©Ariadne Cass 7 August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs 3 - 15, 17 - 21, Aug at 13:30 and 15:00. Company - Stolen Stories. Company Website www.stolenstories.com
The Voice Stealer. (Page 15). Drams .Venue Theatre Workshop. (Venue 20). Address 34 Hamilton Place. Reveiwer Ariadne Cass. Steve Holland has had a stutter from a young age, which occasionally manifests as he speaks. The Voice Stealer is his story of disability and isolation at the hands of the evil and dastardly Voice Stealer, who takes away his voice and so makes his life miserable. His younger self, Alex, is a scary-looking life-sized puppet. The Voice Stealer is a small doll, as is his nemesis, who helps Alex to regain his voice. Holland plays all the parts, and the dolls sit on the stage, exuding creepiness. As a general premise I can see how it would be beneficial to children with vocal problems to personify a problem. This turns it into an isolated unit, an external monster which can be vanquished. This is good therapy. But it isn't good entertainment. Holland is unsure of his script, and occasionally fills the gap by waffling. This is the last show of the run but it looks like the first. At one point a technical cue is fudged - Holland throws his arms up inexplicably, and holds them there expectantly. A few seconds later, 'Hallelujia' blasts out, and he begins a victory dance, which, having started too late then goes on for far too long. This is not a good production. But Holland tries hard to level with his audience, and is utterly genuine. The children appear to like and trust him, which is important if the post show workshop is to be successful. Steve Holland is not a natural performer. But it is important people with his experience do create theatre. It just has to be coupled with theatrical know-how as well. ©Ariadne Cass August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs 11 - 20, Aug 2005 Company - Steve Holland. Company Website N/A
Walking The Tightrope. (Page 15). Drams .Venue C Too. (Venue 4). Address St. Columba's by the Castle, Johnston Terrace. Reveiwer Ariadne Cass. Walking The Tightrope, by the award winning Mike Kenny is essentially a two-person performance with a chorus. The talents of the rest of the undoubtedly talented Birmingham Young Rep cast seem sadly underused compared to the leads, but never mind. It's a nice, harmoniously staged show. How to you tell your grandchild that grandma's dead? Apparently, in this case, Granddad Stan, Ian Farnell, lies and lies to Esme, Maisie Turpie, until a gentle dramatic fantasy is created. While this is a wonderful build - up for the inevitable discovery of the truth, and the ensuing rage, tears, and betrayal which must surely follow, this fantasy is never broken. The interesting bit doesn't get to take place, and by the end of this show I'm filled with indignation. I know it's a children's show and things are supposed to be nice, and perhaps my expectations of conflict are adult and cynical. But I think it's much more cynical to lie to children about important, life - changing things like death. The quality of the writing in this play is otherwise very very good indeed. The relationship between granddaughter and granddad is beautifully done. It shows Esme growing up and Granddad growing old with such sweetness and hidden pain that it honestly, at some points, brings tears to the eyes. The chorus works in complete harmony with the props and the leads, making a perfect setting and commentary for Granddad and Esme. The atmosphere conjured up by the actors and by the gentle pace of the writing is sweet and melancholy, because really, the fantasy is rather beautiful. This is a delicate and subtle play, but it could be more truthful. And I still think it should be called 'The Grandfather Who Lied And Got Away With It.' ©Ariadne Cass 7th August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs 15 - 20, Aug 2005 Company - The Birmingham Rep - The Young Rep Company.
The Yarnbards (Page 15). Drams None, not even soft one. Venue Pleasance Dome(Venue 115). Address 1 Bristo Square Reviewer Neil Ingram. What a good idea - improvised comedy for kids, a sort of Junior Mastersons - and it's brilliantly done. Five experienced comedy actors (Richard Vranch, Leisa Rea, Alys Torrance, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Janice Phayre) have come together to present a simple format, but with hilarious results, and grown-ups will probably laugh as much as the younger members of the audience. When I saw them, we were treated to some wonderful inventions, including the story of the Mysterious Economist, a bizarre tale about a werewolf, a zombie and a tourist from Somerset, and an uplifting piece about an unhappy elephant. I haven't had a more enjoyable hour for ages - do not miss it! ©Neil Ingram 13 August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 29 August, not 22 at 17.20. Company - The Yarnbards. Company Website - www.yarnbards.com
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