The 36th Edinburgh International Children’s Festival begins this weekend with a programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people and families.
During the week, the Festival programme explores topics such as bullying, our fear of missing out, grief and the search for identity, weaving in humour and excitement to connect with children regardless of their circumstances, access needs or location.
Some of this year’s highlights include a dance theatre show for 7-12 year olds, Boys Don’t Dance by Marc Brew reflects on the artist’s journey who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance, It Would be Such a Shame if you Missed Out for 10-16 year olds, and a circus show for 3 to 7 year olds called, The Fabulous Tale of BasarKus (for 3-7 yrs), which has been performed over 1,000 times in its native France.
A new play by Tim Crouch, Toto Kerblammo! (for 10-14 yrs) will be experienced wearing headphones through binaural audio technology.
A new multi-sensory performance, Brrr (for ASN 10 yrs+), has been created specially for young audiences with complex needs and set in a unique inflatable dome.
The Family Day opens this year’s Festival on 30 May – a full day of free, pop-up performances and artist interventions at the National Museum of Scotland, which has been programmed in partnership with festivals across the country including Light the Blue festival in Aberdeen, Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and the Paisley Book Festival.
This year’s programme also features a Focus on Wallonia, showcasing the children’s theatre scene from Belgium’s french-speaking region.
Incoming new Festival Director Adjjima Na Patalung said: “I am very excited to be opening this year’s Festival as the new director with such a wonderful programme. Imaginate has built a Festival with real clarity of purpose, a deep commitment to children’s rights, grounded in artistic quality, inclusion, and international exchange.
Many of the shows this year reflect the realities of children growing up today. Questions around mental health, bullying, displacement, belonging, identity, friendship, and resilience run through the programme in very different ways. That is what makes this programme feel so alive and relevant.
I look forward to witnessing children’s reactions and hearing their voices and different perspectives. It is always our hope that for every child who experiences this Festival, something stays with them, big or small. A feeling. A question. A spark of imagination.”
Full programme and booking information: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival. Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.
- This article or a part of it is provided by the news agency Deadline News Limited and published here with permission.
- Contact Deadline News Limited if you would like to use any or all of this article.
