Every year, the Edinburgh Fringe summons a caravan of talented makers and shakers with ambitions to entertain and inspire kids. These tend to get less attention than the shows occupying the latter part of each day, but each year, I find some of my favourite work whilst flashing my press badge and notebook, tucked into the corner of rooms filled with carers and their kids.
The following famous five are shows I’m either super excited to catch myself, or performed by individuals who I trust to bring their A-game for those in and around the single-digit age demographic.
The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl
We’ll start with this hotly anticipated piece of aerially enhanced physical theatre. Vee Smith and Sadiq Ali’s new show was supposed to be the flagship production at this year’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival before injury put the kibosh on that.
Now the show, commissioned by the Festival’s organisers, Imaginate, and co-produced by local treasures, Catherine Wheels, with help from The National Theatre of Scotland and the Assembly, will open at the Roxy for the Fringe.
Vee and Sadiq share outstanding pedigrees as performers, and with such expert, heavyweight backing, anticipation could not be higher. Billed as a “touching story of a girl who wants to be a monster and a boy who wants to fly.”, the show promises a simple, soaring, and touching adventure. Look out for this one to scoop awards.
Book HereJuan Solo’s Excellent Adventures in Space!
Billed as a thrilling space adventure with ‘Juan Solo’ aboard the ‘Millenial Falcon’, I have no difficulty imagining Ignacio as just the right talent to introduce kids to stand-up.
Ignacio, you see, is one of the most accomplished comedians I’ve seen in action over recent years, and one of the most personable. Blending the relaxed, urbane charm of a prime time TV presenter with a charming observational wit, he’s far from a blue comedian when he’s entertaining adults.
I would tip an adventure with Juan Solo as one fit for all ages, designed with those 5+ in mind, but with punchlines likely to tickle the adults in the room as well.
Book HereThe Ugly Duckling
The most extravagant pick on this list falls to this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’ by circus-storytellers par excellence, Revel Puck Circus.
When our Circus, Cabaret and Curlesque correspondent Naomi J. O’Toole caught the show in London at Christmas, she described it as bringing, “…a circus twist to a timeless tale, full of energetic tricks and heartwarming messages about friendship and being true to yourself.”
I think that’s quite enough said.
Book HereLIVE MANGA
If you want to catch LIVE MANGA at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, you’ll have to get up quite early for its 10:25 kick-off at Assembly George Square Studios. The powers behind this show, physical performance duo GABEZ, picked up the award for Best Male Performer at the Asian Arts Awards last year.
They were also a memorable part of the 2020 Olympic Opening ceremony in Tokyo. In short, these guys have ridiculous credentials.
I expect precisely what it says on the tin, Live Manga. How they will achieve this, I cannot imagine, but then that’s why they helped open an Olympic Games – and I didn’t.
Book HereRobin Morgan: Storytime!
Like Ignacio Lopez, I’ve seen Robin Morgan in action with audiences over the age of 18 – in Robin’s case, several times. Ooh Matron indeed. He’s a first-class comic with excellent timing, strong observational skills and a knack for well-timed delivery.
The cynical amongst you might think this story-centred offering for Fives and up to be arts funding council bait, but anyone who’s seen Robin perform will recognise his ideal temperament for younger audiences. For my money, and in another life, he could have made a great Blue Peter presenter!
Instead, he’s had to settle for being a familiar voice on BBC radio and the host of a BBC TV Panel show. Sliding doors, eh?
My musings on the fickle finger of fate aside, you can trust Robin Morgan to provide a kids-oriented comedy show fit to amuse the whole family.
Book HereWell that’s the end of another list of Insider’s picks for shows you should catch at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Whilst the Kids section of the programme is notably slimmer than some of the others, there are still many more I’ve not mentioned – is there anything you’re looking forward to not mentioned here? Comment below!
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Heebie Jeebies at the French Institute!