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Original poster

Edinburgh Festival Reviews

27 replies

Bellebelle · 07/08/2010 08:28

Thought it might be useful to start a thread on shows people have seen/heard about at the festival this year? We have limited babysitter resources so will probably only 'do' the festival one night so would be good to get some recommendations rather than picking random shows.

I'll start then - took
DD's to see Charlie and Lola (Pleasance Courtyard) yesterday. In DD1's (5yo) words it was "fine" which just about sums it up. It was okay but at £10 a ticket my expectations are higher! If your DCs are die hard C&L fans then it's probably worth it but if not I'd recommend saving your cash.

Going to see Aberglas this afternoon (friend's recommendation) and will report back.

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Bellebelle · 07/08/2010 14:53

Big Red Bus in the Meadows is worth a visit. Face painting and badge making £1 each and shows every hr for £5. You can also ride the bus at the start and end of the day. Beside the Pavilion Cafe, nice relaxed atmosphere.

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gingerwench · 08/08/2010 20:10

We are seeing Penguin tomorrow so will post review. Also have tickets for Billy Bean Bag, Baby loves Disco and Big Red Bus. No plans for any adult shows yet though! DS is just over 2 so many of the children's shows won't be suitable. He loved "dude where's my teddy bear" last year - don't know if that is on again this year but he was transfixed by live singing and dancing so close.

ChallengingCitrusHalibut · 08/08/2010 20:20

For adults, Me! Me! Me! is good. A comedy cabaret act at half one in the afternoon at Pleasance at Ghillie Dhu which is at Rutland Place in the West End. Great venue too. Just saw it this weekend.

We also saw Craig Hill, second year in a row, very funny.

Sorry no kids' recommendations am just pg with DC1! If things work out this will be our last child-free festival so making the most of it.

Also have Sherlock Holmes and the Sound of the Baskervilles lined up so will report back!

ChristianaTheSeventh · 08/08/2010 20:56

I've booked Smoke adn Mirrors, having seen and loved La Clique in 2008, am very excited about it. Adult magical cabaret stuff at teh Spiegeltent.

Tahnks for the C&L review, don't think I will bother. Heard that The White Dalmation was good though. Quite interested to hear about the Show 'White' which is aimed at 2-4 year olds.

Great idea for a thread, bellebelle

Aliarse · 08/08/2010 22:45

Hairy Maclary Show at the assembly rooms....fantastic for kids and I enjoyed it much more than charlie and lola

lots of singing, joining in and dog costumes

AnneinEdinburgh · 09/08/2010 13:38

I agree, hairy maclairy was fab, my nearly 3 year old practically levitated in excitement - worth getting there a bit early as it is proper raked seating so a good seat is important. We also saw the Magic Porrige Pot which was ok, lots of interaction and done in a room in a circle with kids on cushions in front, plus the bonus of them being given a milky bar.

Next we are off to the bubble show, Penguin and the Mole who knew it was none of his business.

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Bellebelle · 09/08/2010 22:11

Look forward to hearing reviews of Penguin as thinking of taking DD's on Friday. The man from the show (he must dress up as some kind of monster as was walking around with his tail still on) was in the Spiegelgarden on Sat afternoon and made the penguin blink and flap his wings for the girls. DD2 was beside herself with excitement and wouldn't leave the poor guy alone when he was trying to enjoy a drink. He was really nice to her, I think we owe him!

Might try Hairy McClary too after recommendations here.

Spent a lot of time up at the Udderbelly too, both girls delighted with the sight of a giant upside down purple cow - great entertainment by anyone's standards Grin

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katiepotatie · 09/08/2010 22:24

Oh bugger, I've got already got tickets for C & L, for dd and I on Sat.
Went to see The Stick Man today at Udderbelly, was absolutely fantastic. DH and I enjoyed as much as dd (3) Grin
Going to see Craig Hill on Thurs too
Have heard Bubble Man is fab, going to try and get tickets for that as well

Aitch · 09/08/2010 22:40

We were at Stick Man as well, kp, it was FANTASTIC, wasn't it? easily the best show i've seen in yonks, never mind the fact that it is for kids. apparently jd wrote the extra stick lady love lines, much the better for it i thought.

katiepotatie · 09/08/2010 23:07

Yes aitch It was FAB! dd cried when it was over. I've just found out that Room on the Broom is going to the Kings in October. Going to try and get tickets, hope it will be as good. DD loves all the JD stories

Aitch · 10/08/2010 09:22

it won't be as good... Wink the gruff and roomotbroom were devised by other teams, not so talented by all accounts. too linear, apparently. still good, though, but not as good. JD sought Scamp Productions out specifically and they can now do anything they want of hers. i was trying to persuade them to do tiddler...

gingerwench · 10/08/2010 12:50

We loved Penguin. We liked the book anyway and DS loves penguins so it seemed a safe bet.

DS was a little nervous at first but soon got into it. Completely enthralled and loved meeting the puppeteers and puppets after the show. I cried at the last song (duet between boy and penguin about being friends - must be hormonal!). Quality puppets and the book's illustrator and author helped set up the puppet company and design them so they look true to the book. DS has demanded we re-read the book several times since the show.

Aliarse · 10/08/2010 18:23

Dr Austin and Sparks in space is good (for older kids mainly, I would say from 4 years on is most suitable.) A bit of science education and a lot of laughs and audience participation. Try and get your kids to sit on the cushions on the floor!

StewieGriffinsMom · 11/08/2010 21:31

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aitch · 11/08/2010 21:36

were you there on Mon? we shoulda hadda meetup!

StewieGriffinsMom · 11/08/2010 21:40

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aliarse · 11/08/2010 21:41

just worked out it would cost me £40 for 2 adults, a four year and a two year old to see Stick Man Shock

StewieGriffinsMom · 11/08/2010 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aitch · 11/08/2010 21:44

mon and tues was two for one...

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Bellebelle · 13/08/2010 14:21

Penguin was brilliant! Stick Man next.

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SpawnChorus · 13/08/2010 14:39

Freebies:

World of Pure Imagination - fairly rough at the edges but DCs (5 and 4) loved it. Lots of audience interaction.

The Hamwehads: a better story and more professional, but not quite as enthrallling for the DCs

Mile Belgrave's Lessons in Chaos: v loud, v silly and v v hot (not in a sexy way Hmm). DS (4) loved him. DD (5)wasn't v impressed.

katiepotatie · 14/08/2010 19:47

Craig Hill was absolutely outrageous, but very funny, glad we weren't at the front.

Charlie & Lola was great I thought, dd (3) loved it, think we have and aspiring Lola in our house this evening.Grin

Bubble Man on Monday, will let you know how it is

AnneinEdinburgh · 16/08/2010 13:17

Bubble man on Saturday - great so long as you sit veyr near the front. I had the embarassment of my nearly 3 year old wandering round on stage and the bubble man himself going and sitting down while DS waved a bubble wand for the audience. That would have been a photo to bring out for an 18th birthday party! Grin

gingerwench · 16/08/2010 15:13

Billy Bean Bag was grim

think hyperactive children's presenters duff songs, rubbish puppets, random bits of french to hit the educational button....

DS looked v unimpressed and refused to join in. And when I got up for the "all the parents join in" bit, DS looked at me raised an eyebrow and patted my seat "no mummy, down". He is 2.2 and I am already embarrassing him! (I should stress plenty of other people were up and trying to do actions with their children, I wasn't doing it alone!)

DomesticGoddessInTraining · 16/08/2010 16:01

Saw Hairy McLairy this morning - 2 year old DS was enthralled and older children clearly loved it.

I caught 10 minutes or so of Julien Cottereau (mime artist/clown) at the Best of the Fest daytime the other day, and while it was mildly amusing for an adult audience I thought that children (albeit older than my 2 year old) would definitely enjoy his show. That said, I just looked him up on the edfringe website and I don't think I would pay £13/£12 conc to see him!

On Saturday night I saw Matt Green and he was worth a visit - although the baby grand venue at the Pleasance was a bugger to find!