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ED2014 Children's Shows ED2014 Three To See ED2014 Week0 Edition
Three To See 2014: Theatre for Older Children
By Caro Moses | Published on Friday 25 July 2014
Now we’re not necessarily talking about older-older children here. These shows are more theatrical productions (as opposed to clowny toddler events) for children who are in the top end of their first decade, and probably a bit older too, because these are the kind of shows that parents will also really enjoy. Well, that’s what ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses thinks, anyway.
The Bee-Man Of Orn (pictured)
Always expect good things from Newbury Youth Theatre, it’s a Fringe rule, and the reason why we gave the company a ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award back in 2009. This year’s show is an adaptation of nineteenth century author Frank R Stockton’s ‘The Bee-Man Of Orn’ (famously illustrated by Maurice Sendak in a mid-sixties edition) and follows the central character on his journey to the deepest ocean, the court of a cruel king and the cave of the Very Imp. For children aged five and over.
Quaker Meeting House, from 4 Aug until 9 Aug. Tickets here.
Human Child
This show from the interestingly named Collapsing Horse sounds equally interesting; it’s described as a “blazing fantasy adventure” inspired by changeling myths and the poetry of WB Yeats, and is delivered via the media of theatre, music and puppetry. It’s already received a lot of great reviews from other publications, who have praised the talented cast and the aesthetically pleasing and highly entertaining nature of the production, as well as drawing attention to the well designed yet minimal set. It sounds pretty sophisticated, so I think this is one that you might want to go and see even if you don’t have a child of 8+ to bring along.
Underbelly, Cowgate, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. Tickets here.
The Comedy Of Errors
Shakespeare plays are great, obviously, but even the most boisterous and comical productions of them can be a bit long and dense for most children, I suspect. So perhaps the best way to start your kids on the path to Shakespearean enlightenment is with something like this, an adaptation made specially with 7+ audiences in mind, brought to you by Take Thou That Theatre with Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. The blurb promises a production that draws on Vaudevillian traditions, slapstick and sees a cast of seven playing the two sets of identical twins; hilarious mix ups and a lot of running around will ensue.
Assembly George Square Studios, from 31 Jul until 16 Aug. Tickets here.
