The Kid-Friendly Brighton Fringe Festival
After the parade, the Brighton Festival becomes rather grown up. But the Fringe picks up the challenge with numerous child and family friendly events - comedy, puppets, music, activities - taking place every day. And, of course, if festival fatigue turns into hyperactiviy, there's always the beach for running around and working off the excess energy.The kids will love it too.
Meanwhile, here are some of the family oriented highlights of the 2009 Brighton Fringe Festival:
- Flyaway Katie Puppet show from Long Nose Puppets about the power of the imagination. Based on the popular children's book by Polly Dunbar with music by Tom Gray of Gomez
- Yarnbards Improvised family comedy in the Spiegeltent & Garden. Features Richard Vranch of the Comedy Store Players. Suitable for 7+
- Pick 'n Myths Based on Greek mythology, Onassis Theatre presents "the most exciting stories ever told", with songs, audience participation, friendly monsters and silly hats. For kids 3 to 6.
- Cloudcuckooland Swift and McFly are fed up with the filthy world so they create a new city, with the birds, in the sky. Inspired by Aristophanes The Birds, this combines comedy, satire, music and clowning for age 6+. This award winning Onassis Theatre production was an Observer Pick of the Edinburgh Festival. So, how much damage can the strategic pooing of the entire bird community cause to the human race?
- Wizard and Witch School Bring your budding, under 10 year old Harry Potters and Hermiones to the Coach House in Kemptown for Brighton's first school for young witches and wizards on May 9. Make a magic wand, decorate your tunic, discover your magic word, hear stories of wizardry and even find your tail.
- Baby Loves Disco Sunday afternoon is the new Saturday night at Komedia. Real DJs spin real music for children and adults to enjoy together. Healthy snacks, a chill out area and a bar for responsible adults.
- The Man Who Planted Trees A French shepherd sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. Hear the wind, feel the rain, smell the lavender in this multi-sensory theatrical delight. Puppet State Theatre arrive trailing kudos for their interpretation of Jean Giono's environmental cult classic. The Scotsman gave it 5 stars at Edinburgh and The Guardian said, "Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific."
- The Parlure Spiegeltent -The line up of family shows in the 1930's showtent includes Animal Olympics, The Interstella Family Circus Show, Andrew Clover's Crazy Kids & Dad Rules, Havana Rumba (so good that apparently Kylie jumped on stage when she saw it), Tea Dances and several shows already listed above.
