Latest news with #EdinburghInternationalChildren'sFestival
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The festival capital of the world
Edinburgh's renowned festivals are already off to a flying start in 2025, with the city once again proving why it is the cultural capital of the world. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As MSP for Edinburgh Central and Cabinet Secretary for Culture, I'm proud to see our festivals thrive and to support the extraordinary creativity they bring to our streets, stages, schools and all other venues. This year's Edinburgh Science Festival has already completed another successful run, with engaging and thought-provoking events drawing audiences of all ages. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highlights included 'Our Connected World,' which explored how digital technology is shaping our future, and the always-popular 'Blood Bar,' where budding scientists got hands-on experience learning about human biology. The festival season continues with the Edinburgh International Children's Festival, where I was honoured to speak at the opening. As a parent of two young children, I'm particularly looking forward to taking them along to experience the joy, wonder and imagination that these shows inspire. Looking ahead, hundreds of performances are already listed across Edinburgh's summer festivals—from the Fringe and International Festival to the Book and Art Festivals. Whether you're a long-time local or a first-time visitor, I encourage everyone to browse what's on offer and experience something new. These festivals are more than a source of entertainment—they're a vital part of our city's identity and economy. I look forward to working with everyone involved to ensure their continued success for years to come. Edinburgh truly comes alive in festival season, and 2025 is already shaping up to be exceptional.
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Scotsman
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scottish circus festival show cancelled after 'performer injury' in 'stunning' aerial display
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A festival circus act described as a 'stunning aerial show' has been cancelled after one of the artists was injured during a performance. The planned three-day run of The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl at the Edinburgh International Children's Festival (EICF) was cancelled at the weekend ahead of the festival's official opening night on Monday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad EICF said the cancellation of the two-person performance by Vee Smith and Sadiq Ali, which features aerial displays in harnesses and modern circus-style performance, was due to 'performer injury'. It is understood Mr Ali had to attend accident-and-emergency (A&E) after an afternoon show in Johnstone on Wednesday last week and has been advised by doctors not to perform. Commissioned by the National Theatre of Scotland, the show was due to run on Monday and Tuesday nights and Wednesday afternoon. The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl was due to be performed this week. | Edinburgh International Children's Festival A statement from the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company and the Edinburgh International Children's Festival said: 'It is with a sad heart that we have had to cancel the performances of The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl at the Children's Festival, due to performer injury. We know this is disappointing news for the artists involved, our audiences and ourselves, but the health of the performer is paramount. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are lucky that the show Grown Ups from Belgium, an absurd tragi-comedy about what happens to grown-ups when children are not looking, is able to step in at the last minute for the opening night of the festival tonight.' The show is also due to be performed during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, when it will be part of the Made in Scotland showcase. The statement added: 'For those with tickets for the performances, we will be in touch with information on alternative shows or refund options. The Unlikely Friendship is performing at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of Made in Scotland, so an opportunity to see the work will still be possible. We hope to see some of you at the other inspiring and joyous shows taking place at the Children's Festival this week.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aimed at children aged nine and over, the show tells the story of a girl who wants to be a monster and a boy who wants to fly. The description in the festival's brochure said: 'Exploring the universal yearning to belong and sharing the joy of friendship, this is a dynamic and visually stunning aerial show.' A performance of the same show, due to take place in Glasgow's Tramway as part of Dance International Glasgow, was also cancelled last week, as was a second evening performance in Johnstone Town Hall on Wednesday last week. The hour-long EICF performance was due to be staged at the Assembly Roxy.
STV News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Children step into politicians' shoes for festival performance
It's a political debate like you've never seen before. Young performers have stepped into the shoes of politicians for the day as part of their performance Elections at the Edinburgh International Children's Festival. Performer Reel told STV News: 'It was about kids being politicians and acting all silly with neon colours and fun moustaches and it's about showing what we want. We have a line where we say we should vote because it's our future and we feel like adults are voting for our future even though it's about us but they have more control than we do.' Aimee added: 'It was really fun and we were just looking at how we actually want to change the world and how we can make an impact on that.' STV News Reel enjoyed performing as part of Elections STV News Artistic director Bishop May Down said: 'The young people have such profound views about the world and they are really clued up and I think that's not necessarily appreciated as much by adults, adults think that children can't engage in political conversations and political thinking so I really wanted to challenge that and put them in a place where the power dynamic is a bit flipped and they can say what they want about the world.' It's just one of dozens of performances taking place at the festival – which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Kicking off the nine-day event is Family Day at the National Museum of Scotland, which featured pop-up performances from swinging aerial artists, resilient mushrooms and party shrimps. Noel Jordan from the festival said: 'The vision of the Children's Festival is to promote theatre and dance for young audiences and to really nurture children's development through access to culture. Whether they come with a school's performance or if they're coming with their families on the weekends or in the evenings, we really want people to appreciate that art for children can be extremely high quality, risk taking, experimental and fun.' The festival will run at locations across the city until June 1. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Free and cheap activities for the kids during May half term – from Legoland to splashpads
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. From fun workshops at world-class museums to nature roadshows and London's biggest kids' festival, there is stacks to do for free NO END OF FUN Free and cheap activities for the kids during May half term – from Legoland to splashpads Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN May half term comes around, parents across the UK can breathe a sigh of relief knowing there is plenty they can do to keep their children occupied for free. That's because, as the weather warms up, we can make the most of cheap, or free, days out while the kids are off school. 6 You don't need to splash out so the kids can have fun at half-term Credit: Getty It's a good job too, as I often find that this half term costs almost as much as the summer holidays if you want to go away - which is why me and my family like to hunker down at home and enjoy budget-friendly day trips that won't break the bank. Here's how you can do the same. Museum specials According to the Museums Association, there are almost 1,800 museums in the UK are free to enter. Many of these are holding additional special free activities for kids during half term. For instance, in London, the British Museum is hosting a series of free family activities inspired by their new Ancient India exhibition and the National Maritime Museum has free storytelling and workshops on the wonders of the ocean. In Manchester, the Manchester Museum has free dance workshops and storytelling as part of a collaboration with Afrocats. In Edinburgh, the National Museums Scotland is hosting a day of free performances and activities to kick off the Edinburgh International Children's Festival. To find out more about what's happening in a museum near you, head to the Which Museum website. Get hands on with art galleries Many of the country's top art galleries hold child-friendly sessions and workshops during the school holidays, and May half term is no exception. The National Gallery is holding special sessions in the Roden Centre for Creative Learning, showing children how to decode pictures. Parents are scrambling to The Range to nab new kids' toys - there's inflatables, swimming pools and up to 40% off The Tate Modern has a free programme of art and activities for kids as part of its Uniqlo Tate Play sessions. In Liverpool, The Walker Art Gallery is hosting a Big Art special: Art Sparks session, where kids can make their own masterpiece to take home. Head to the big parks Many of the country's top parks are hosting free activities and festivals over half term. In the capital, Brockwell Park is hosting Brockwell Bounce which claims to be London's biggest kids' festival. Free to enter, it has live music, creative workshops, skateboard lessons, theatre and much more. For something a little quieter, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens are hosting nature roadshows, and Greenwich Park is holding a welcome day with London play - inspiring kids through nature-based play. In Manchester, Heaton Park is holding its #sevendaysofstufftodo throughout the entire half term, with craft-making, family-friendly films and traditional games. Splashpads and paddling pools Getting out and about in the fresh air is so much easier if the weather is warm. Pack a picnic and head for your nearest park so the little ones can let off steam. 6 Councils are opening up their paddling pools and splashpads in May - and most are free to access In May lots of councils will be opening up their splashpads and paddling pools for the summer season, so check those out if you feel like you've done all your other local outside spaces to death over the winter. Most are free to access and there's often other facilities like playgrounds nearby, so you can make a day of it. We also love a lido, but you usually have to pay. If you have monthly membership at your local leisure centre or your kids take swimming lessons there, it can sometimes cover taking a dip in the outdoor pool, so it's worth checking. Don't forget the suncream and hats! Start of season offers Lots of visitor attractions want to start the summer in style, so you'll often find some good deals if you keep your eyes peeled. The more visitors they can get through the doors in May, the more their site will appear on social media, so it's worth their while to keep costs low at the start of the season while they build up a buzz. 6 I found an incredible deal on social media for Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham over May half term And some seasonal sites are still getting fully up and running after the winter so aren't charging full price yet. One year, we spotted an incredible deal on social media for Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham over May half term, which dropped prices to less than £10 per person, compared to more than £20 per person at peak times normally. We had a fantastic day out for less than £50 at a place that would normally be out of budget. Annual passes about to expire May half-term can be a great time to make one last visit to any attractions covered by a pay once, visit all year scheme, particularly if you're planning to go away at the start of the summer holidays. There's nothing more annoying than getting out annual passes and finding they are a few days out of date when you want to use them again. 6 We visited National Space Centre in Leicester at the very start of August and entry tickets are converted into an annual pass if you prebook online - so get in a return trip Credit: Catherine Lofthouse Last summer, we visited the National Space Centre in Leicester at the very start of August and entry tickets are converted into an annual pass if you prebook online. So I need to make sure to use our tickets again in May half term or the start of the summer holidays if I don't want to miss out on a return visit. Launch parties Lots of places will be launching new or refurbished attractions in time for May half term, so it's worth taking a look at whether there's any launch parties you can latch onto or new locations near you that you haven't visited before. The National Trust has just announced that Coventry Charterhouse, which has a children's playground and heritage parkland, will reopen in time for the half term holiday. This former monastic house in the Midlands city had been operating independently but will now be part of the National Trust, so members can get in free and there will be a programme of children's activities provided. Bouncy castles in beer gardens If the sun is out, there's nowhere better to enjoy the great British summer than a beer garden, particularly if it's got bouncy castles, sandpits or games to keep the kids happy. While you might be expected to buy a round of drinks, you can choose how much to spend and the bouncy castle itself is usually free, so the kids can have fun for as long as they like. 6 If the sun is out, there's nowhere better to enjoy the great British summer than a beer garden Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 6 It's even better if your local has a bouncy castle and ballpit for the little ones Credit: Catherine Lofthouse Our local has even gone one step further and opened a small soft play and ballpit for younger children in its outdoor space. You can treat yourself to some pub grub and a drink instead of splashing out on entry fees and parking costs. Even better, if it's within walking distance of home, you haven't got any travel costs either! Having a great half-term doesn't have to cost much at all. It's all about thinking outside the box and making the most of what's on your doorstep. And supporting local sites is a great way to keep them open to all, so it's a win win.
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Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh International Children's Festival: 'a celebration of joy'
After years of curtailed ambition, the Children's Festival looks set to return to its former glory, says Joyce McMillan Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When Noel Jordan arrived from Sydney in 2015, to take on the role of Festival Director at the Edinburgh International Children's Festival, he had no idea what a rollercoaster his decade in charge would turn out to be. At first, all was plain sailing, as he put together festival programmes showcasing both a brilliant array of international work, and an ever-increasing number of shows from Scotland burgeoning children's theatre scene which – after 25 years of investment via the festival's year-round parent organisation, Imaginate – was beginning to win fans and admirers worldwide. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl | Tommy Ga-Ken Wan In March 2020, though, as the first wave of Covid lockdowns swept across Europe, the EICF became one of the first Scottish arts organisation to have to cancel its May festival completely. There followed two years of tentative reconstruction, as the festival staged an ingenious 2021 'outdoor and online' programme, followed by a 2022 programme built around half a dozen Scottish shows and other work from neighbouring countries. And it's only now, half a decade on, that the festival is once again beginning to look like the exuberant showcase for international and Scottish work that it was when it was first launched in a tented village in Inverleith Park, back in 1989. For Jordan, it seems like the right moment to step down, as he prepares to return to Australia; but not without delivering an enthusiastic drum-roll for this year's event, which opens on 24 May with its usual Family Day at the National Museum of Scotland, followed over the next week by a programme of 13 shows, including three new works made in Scotland, and five presented as part of a Spotlight on Flanders season, showcasing work from a culture that produces some of Europe's most adventurous theatre for young audiences. Tongue Twister | Contributed 'One thing I'm particularly pleased about,' says Jordan, 'is that we're starting to move on towards a new generation of children theatre-makers in Scotland – although the established companies are still there, and often play a key role in fostering new talent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Our opening night performance, for example, is The Unlikely Friendship Of Feather Boy And Tentacle Girl, a fabulous circus-inspired show by Vee Smith and Sadiq Ali about how the power of friendship can transform us from loners and misfits into strong characters ready to pursue our dreams. 'Greg Sinclair's Tongue Twister, by contrast, comes from one of Scotland's best-known makers of theatre for young people; but it represents a new departure for him, and it will be staged at the newly reopened North Edinburgh Arts Centre, which is great to see.' Jordan is also excited to see the festival expanding this year into a venue it has never visited previously, as Belgian company Be Flat come to Portobello Town Hall with their intriguing acrobatic show Double You, a spectacular circus performance that explores 'fear of missing out'. And at the Traverse, he's delighted to present the legendary Belgian company Kopergietery in The Pale Baron, an exceptionally timely show for older children about two musicians trying to pursue their art during a regime that tries to eliminate everything that seems too free, too different or too rebellious. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We also have shows this year from France and Germany, and from the wonderful Oily Cart company from England, working with the Australian company Polyglot,' says Jordan. 'And the programme includes some intensely physical work that really explores the idea of storytelling through acrobatics, and expands our ideas of what the human body can do. Because above all, I want this festival to be about the power of creativity, celebration and fun; not as a form of escapism from all the problems we face, but as an expression of joy. Because without joy – in our bodies, and in the power of our imaginations – we will never be able to overcome those problems; and we hope that this year's Festival truly captures that spirit, and celebrates it.'
