EEdinburgh Festival Fringe - one of the biggest arts festival in the world - takes place all of August, and we’ve got a number of brilliant shows that may be of interest for parents and children.
PARENTING is a strong theme - as it is every year - and these are some shows to look forward to:
Raging Mother - Finland - investigates the ever-present myth of the ‘perfect mother’ by asking how many flaws can you have before you’re disqualified from the ‘good mother’ category. This relatable shows examines the stories we perpetuate about what a mother should look like, and how she should behave, and is performed as a monologue with occasional interjections from her real-life husband!
Mama Love - Switzerland - about the idealised and toxic images of motherhood against the backdrop of the 2020 Swiss vote on granting new fathers a whole two weeks’ paternity leave (18 years behind the Brits), the show looks at utopian models of life in a society beyond the bounds of patriarchy.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHOWS are another brilliant part of Fringe as many youngsters get introduced to theatre for the first time. These are some of our top picks:
For the youngsters (suitable for all ages)
Mary, Chris, Mars - a family-friendly adventure that takes place entirely in outer space; blending physical theatre, miniature set design and puppetry. Mary, Chris, Mars tells the tale of two lonely astronauts who end up spending Christmas Day together, and asks us to reflect on what it means to be able to spend time with a loved one in-person.
For school kids (suitable for ages 8+)
Muse - Caught between choosing either a ballet outfit or a football uniform, MUSE explores gender identity through breath-taking contemporary circus performance. Asking what it means to be a woman, a man, or anything in between, the world-class circus artists don both their high heels and their shoulder pads to playfully explore gender across the spectrum. Expect spectacular stunts, a trampoline wall (!), and a live singer, in a joyful celebration of being yourself. Take a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRqH07u0kWU.
Donuts - A soul-lifting contemporary dance show with a funk-inspired beat, Donuts reaches for the reference book of classic TV sitcoms like Malcolm in the Middle, Scrubs and The Office to explore the beauty and playfulness of friendship. Donuts is an unpretentious, fun-filled show drawing on our shared need to get up and move to an infectious song.
For the older kids (suitable for ages 8+
BreAking - a fun contemporary street dance show set to Korean avant-rock band Jambinai, which combines traditional Korean folk instruments with rock music. Take a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2GsIkaeZ6
Receptionists - two female clowns from Finland showcase the hilarity of the hospitality industry and its quirks in this ridiculous, yet highly recognisable, and funny show about what it’s like to work as a receptionist.