Reviews & features: Kelly Apter

Dr Bunhead is Volcano Head

Wouldn’t it be great if all science teachers were like Dr Bunhead? Surely there’s room on the new curriculum for setting fire to your head, blowing up vegetables and creating anti-gravity poo. No? Oh well, you’ll have to make do with a brief date with…

Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal

The late great choreographer Pina Bausch lives on through her work and company, as the dancers of Germany’s Tanztheater Wuppertal arrive in Edinburgh to perform Água. Inspired by Bausch’s time in Brazil, the work is filled with striking video images…

Arabian Nights

Tales from old Baghdad

As soon as you walk into the Storytelling Centre, you’re met with the exotic aroma of burning incense. That, and a stage filled with promise – middle eastern and otherwise. Andy Lawrence and his company, Theatre of Widdershins, have built up a…

Alonzo King Lines Ballet

Modern classical dance with an Indian beat

It’s part of our make-up to search for the meaning in things. So it’s no surprise that when an audience sits down in front of a piece of modern dance, the big question in most people’s heads is ‘what’s it all about?’. Bringing two works to this…

Wee Willie Gray

Magical adventure for Burns’ wee boy

Robert Burns wasn’t known for writing children’s verse – and even when he did, he was economical with his words. So Foolish Notion (aka Andy Cannon and Wendy Weatherby) had their work cut out turning his six line song Wee Willie Gray into an hour-long…

Potted Panto brings CBBC's Dan and Jeff to Fringe

Aladdin, Mother Goose and Cinderella - in one show

You’ve seen Aladdin, Mother Goose and Cinderella – now see all three, plus four more, squeezed into 70 minutes of dynamic mayhem. Performed by CBBC’s Dan and Jeff, the duo who brought us Potted Potter and Potted Pirates, this fast-paced romp will have…

Grupo Corpo - 'in Brazil dance is a way of living'

Grupo Corpo’s International Festival performance will showcase all of the dance company’s determined creative spirit, and touch on the beliefs and traditions of their native Brazil. Kelly Apter talks to choreographer, Rodrigo Pedernerias.

Andrew Clover’s Almost Famous Story Show

Free range storytelling

Nobody could ever accuse Andrew Clover of phoning his show in. The smart-suited comedian gives everything he’s got during this hour of high energy, low structure entertainment. He’s the kind of man you would have killed for as an uncle when you were…

Greek Myths For Kids by the new Backhand Theatre

A bit too few tales of Kings, Heroes and Monsters

This is the debut show from the newly-formed Backhand Theatre company, and to a certain extent, it shows. There’s nothing new or overly exciting here, and the performances are solid rather than outstanding. That said, the company shows promise, and…

Penguin

Puppetry and song for young ‘uns

Opening a bright, shiny package, little boy Ben discovers a penguin inside. But joy quickly turns to disappointment when the flightless fellow refuses to speak. Various attempts at persuasion are made, including a trip to the doctors, to no avail, until…

Hairy Maclary and Friends

Canine capers

This is old-school children’s theatre in all the right ways. Based on Lynley Dodd’s hugely popular picture books, the show ticks all the kiddie boxes: audience participation that’s fun, but not humiliating; lively songs; a few ‘it’s behind you’ moments…

Stick Man brings Julia Donaldson's children's book to life

Lively adaptation hits the spot

Julia Donaldson’s 2008 picture book, Stick Man isn’t the longest tale in the world, so anyone looking to adapt it would have to cast around for some pretty extensive padding. Leave it to the formidable Scamp Theatre to do just that. Performed by…

Flawless - Chase The Dream

Streetdance – and a whole lot more

Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Flawless strive for perfection on a daily basis. And, in their slick, fast-paced streetdance routines, it’s fair to say they’ve reached their goal. Not an arm or leg is out of place, the timing is razor sharp and the…

Children's show Twinkle Twonkle combines educational with entertaining

Adventure in the sky at night

Imparting information in a show, without turning your stage into a classroom, is no mean feat. Given the enormous amount of facts and figures we learn during Twinkle Twonkle, it really is astounding that this doesn’t feel ‘educational’ – just…

The Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business

Making a song and dance about poo

This perennial favourite from Kipper Tie Theatre never loses its spark, thanks to a constant supply of young audiences, and a fresh crop of actors to deliver it. Based on Werner Holzwarth’s popular picture book, the story opens with a hit and run…

Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play

TV siblings take the the stage: utterly charming and engaging

When you’re taking a product as insanely successful as Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola series and attempting to do something new, it can be a risky business. Both the books and the TV programmes have garnered millions of fans, some of whom sat…

Christos Tsiolkas' The Slap touched a few raw nerves

He tells us how he tackled this multi-story tale.

Judge me once you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, the old saying goes. Well in his latest book, The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas hands us the literary equivalent of eight pairs of walking boots. Set in suburban Melbourne, the novel opens with a chapter devoted…

Breakdance and Streetdance Championships at the Fringe

Peter Maniam of Moving in Circles on dance competitions

5 things you love about breakdancing. The physicality – B-Boys and Girls push their bodies to the extreme, with nothing more than their own physical ability, blood, sweat and tears; the controversy – breaking has no governing body so judges rely on…

The Wire's Clarke Peters in Fringe run of Five Guys Named Moe

The Wire's Lester Freamon stars in the musical he wrote

Clarke Peters, best known for his role in US cop show The Wire, talks to Kelly Apter about taking time out to appear in the hit musical he wrote himself

Brazil! Brazil! marks return of Capoeria Knights to Fringe

Fancy footwork and football from the favelas

Starting life as Capoeria Knights at the 2008 Fringe, returning as The Boys From Brazil in 2009 and now simply called Brazil! Brazil!, this show has undergone various personnel changes and artistic tweaks. Jaw-dropping flips and leaps have always been…

Rhythms with Soul preview

Flamenco with a modern twist

Flamenco may be steeped in tradition, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be contemporary. Choreographer Miguel Vargas first stepped on stage as a young boy, having learned from the old masters growing up in Spain and Venezuela. Now, aged 34, he delivers his…

My Name is Margaret Morris

Forgotten hero dances back to life

You would think, having invented a new way of moving, married a famous artist and been the driving force behind Scottish dance for years, that people would remember you. Sadly, the name Margaret Morris is likely to prompt a ‘who?’ from most people these…

Five questions: Natalie Trewinnard of Scottish Dance Theatre

SDT's shows Drift, NQR and other Fringe dance highlights

Give us five reasons to come and see SDT’s two Fringe shows Three contrasting works of total theatre; powerfully athletic; SDT dancers have individuality and personality; groundbreaking work; thought-provoking. Tell us four more Fringe dance shows…

Kids show Tall Storrie & Wee Godley at this year's Fringe

The Glasgow comedy queen Jane Godley answer 5 questions

Glasgow comedy queen Janey Godley has pushed all her blue material aside to team up with daughter Ashley Storrie for their kids show Tall Storrie & Wee Godley. She tells us why we should go along. Give five reasons why people should come and see…

5 questions: Kids show Tall Storrie and Wee Godley

Mother and daughter duo Ashley Storrie and Janey Godley

Glasgow comedy queen Janey Godley has pushed all her blue material aside to team up with daughter Ashley Storrie for their kids show Tall Storrie & Wee Godley. She tells us why we should go along. Give five reasons why people should come and see…