T'is the season afterall
Festive theatre gives those of us longer in tooth an opportunity to revisit the places from which our imagination was born.
| 12 Dec 2006
As can be expected for this time of year, theatres across the land are filling their bill with shows aimed at a younger audience. It is after all the prime time in the theatrical year to leave the restraining orders, reins and 'little' gags at home. Now is when when we allow the noisy halflings the freedom of the theatres to experience the Pantos, revisited children's classics and newer fantasy works that take centre stage.
However, before we break out into expletives and curse all that is seasonal and childish, we might do well to remember that Christmastime is in fact built on fiction, fantasy and fairytale. And it has been, after all, these very explorations into the mystical lands of children's literature that have helped shape us and many past generations. Festive theatre not only introduces a whole new generation to old and new classics and the magic that lies woven in their stories, but also gives those of us longer in tooth an opportunity to revisit the places from which our imagination was born.
Glasgow's theatre offerings over the month seem to have been crafted with the belief of the power of a classic to wow young minds and entertain older audiences. At The Arches Theatre you can catch Hansel and Gretel for a full month from 7 December. This 55-minute production promises to lure everyone between the ages of three and 103 years-old into a bewitching wonderland, giving a whole new meaning to seasonal sugar rush. This well loved children's story by the Brothers Grimm will be given the same mesmerizing treatment by the Arches Theatre Company that has seen the two previous children's story adaptations - The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde - become sellout successes.
The Citizen's Theatre is also presenting a timeless classic to celebrate the time of year as they explore and interpret the work of fantasy genius Roald Dahl (5 - 30 December). James and the Giant Peach couldn't be a better fantastical adventure to offer, if enchanting a younger audience is the charge. This adaptation by acclaimed children's playwright and author David Wood, under the direction of Jeremy Ralson, promises to be a celebration of the wild and wonderful hinterland of this mastermind and is as good an excuse as any to be re-enchanted by Dahl's heady storytelling spell. Having written and adapted over 60 children's plays worldwide, Wood's passion for the theatre art form has not waned. He says, "The attitude shown towards children's theatre by everyone - the public, the theatrical profession, critics and funding bodies, still relegates it to the second division rather than hailing it as the exciting and groundbreaking art form it can be." Come and have your prejudices overturned.
On the East Coast, Edinburgh theatres seem to be only too happy to aim for that goal of exciting and groundbreaking children's theatre. While you can see all the serial Christmas favourites like The Snowman at the Festival Theatre (13 – 30 December), and others, a couple of theatres are boldly venturing into unknown territories with the aim to inspire young minds and refresh older ones.
The Traverse Theatre sees the Licketyspit Theatre Company's production of Green Whale by Virginia Radcliffe fall into the festive spotlight from 6 December through to 24 December. Again this is another company that is driven by the motive to fire imaginations of all ages. Having recently completed a tour of Molly Whuppie, they have turned their attention East to bring their interactive and captivatingly imaginative adventures to the Traverse. The inventive tale of three Scottish children who set off on a whaling ship in search of a mythical Green Whale is sure to excite with its account of deep-sea adventure, pirates and romance. Born from the belief that good theatre for children is good theatre for everyone, their production promises to engage with its offbeat humour and magical yarn.
Although we have been fed on a diet of Northern custom and tale, we do well to remember that the magic of art and fantasy is a worldwide phenomenon. Happily, there are a few more exotic options for children's theatre out this month too. Olga the Brolga, running until 16 December at the North Edinburgh Arts Centre, showcases an unfamiliar Aboriginal Christmas tale from down-under, and provides alternative fare from ordinary seasonal pickings.
Clearly t'is the season for make believe, and December is a time to revisit eternal tales. Perhaps we should relish the chance to recapture that youthful feeling that any wild dream can come true, including sea monsters, giant peaches, talking snowmen and even Santa? The theatre on offer this season can transport you there. Don't resist its charm.
However, before we break out into expletives and curse all that is seasonal and childish, we might do well to remember that Christmastime is in fact built on fiction, fantasy and fairytale. And it has been, after all, these very explorations into the mystical lands of children's literature that have helped shape us and many past generations. Festive theatre not only introduces a whole new generation to old and new classics and the magic that lies woven in their stories, but also gives those of us longer in tooth an opportunity to revisit the places from which our imagination was born.
Glasgow's theatre offerings over the month seem to have been crafted with the belief of the power of a classic to wow young minds and entertain older audiences. At The Arches Theatre you can catch Hansel and Gretel for a full month from 7 December. This 55-minute production promises to lure everyone between the ages of three and 103 years-old into a bewitching wonderland, giving a whole new meaning to seasonal sugar rush. This well loved children's story by the Brothers Grimm will be given the same mesmerizing treatment by the Arches Theatre Company that has seen the two previous children's story adaptations - The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde - become sellout successes.
The Citizen's Theatre is also presenting a timeless classic to celebrate the time of year as they explore and interpret the work of fantasy genius Roald Dahl (5 - 30 December). James and the Giant Peach couldn't be a better fantastical adventure to offer, if enchanting a younger audience is the charge. This adaptation by acclaimed children's playwright and author David Wood, under the direction of Jeremy Ralson, promises to be a celebration of the wild and wonderful hinterland of this mastermind and is as good an excuse as any to be re-enchanted by Dahl's heady storytelling spell. Having written and adapted over 60 children's plays worldwide, Wood's passion for the theatre art form has not waned. He says, "The attitude shown towards children's theatre by everyone - the public, the theatrical profession, critics and funding bodies, still relegates it to the second division rather than hailing it as the exciting and groundbreaking art form it can be." Come and have your prejudices overturned.
On the East Coast, Edinburgh theatres seem to be only too happy to aim for that goal of exciting and groundbreaking children's theatre. While you can see all the serial Christmas favourites like The Snowman at the Festival Theatre (13 – 30 December), and others, a couple of theatres are boldly venturing into unknown territories with the aim to inspire young minds and refresh older ones.
The Traverse Theatre sees the Licketyspit Theatre Company's production of Green Whale by Virginia Radcliffe fall into the festive spotlight from 6 December through to 24 December. Again this is another company that is driven by the motive to fire imaginations of all ages. Having recently completed a tour of Molly Whuppie, they have turned their attention East to bring their interactive and captivatingly imaginative adventures to the Traverse. The inventive tale of three Scottish children who set off on a whaling ship in search of a mythical Green Whale is sure to excite with its account of deep-sea adventure, pirates and romance. Born from the belief that good theatre for children is good theatre for everyone, their production promises to engage with its offbeat humour and magical yarn.
Although we have been fed on a diet of Northern custom and tale, we do well to remember that the magic of art and fantasy is a worldwide phenomenon. Happily, there are a few more exotic options for children's theatre out this month too. Olga the Brolga, running until 16 December at the North Edinburgh Arts Centre, showcases an unfamiliar Aboriginal Christmas tale from down-under, and provides alternative fare from ordinary seasonal pickings.
Clearly t'is the season for make believe, and December is a time to revisit eternal tales. Perhaps we should relish the chance to recapture that youthful feeling that any wild dream can come true, including sea monsters, giant peaches, talking snowmen and even Santa? The theatre on offer this season can transport you there. Don't resist its charm.