Dragon Tales & Dragon Babies
Dragon Tales: ★★★★★ Storytelling delight
Dragon Babies: ★★★★★ Sensory delight
LifeCare Centre (Venue 524): Mon 3 – Sat 30 Aug 2026
Review by Matty Sheridan
Dragon Song Productions return to the relaxed setting of the LifeCare Centre for EdFringe 2026 with a pair of complimentary shows, Dragon Tales for under six year-olds and Dragon Babies, for babies under 12 months.
The latest chapter of the Dragon Tales will have children and their grownups enthusiastically joining in. It is clear you will be in safe hands as soon as you walk into the theatre, where Rachel Huggins, Keeper of the Books, whisks the narrative away, creating an imaginative adventure about a nervous Fire Dragon who needs a name, and its friends.
Rachel Huggins in Dragon Tales. Pic: Monika Ziolkowska.
Performer and puppeteer Gigi Bacon embodies her characters as she brings them to life quite magically. The exquisitely crafted puppets – created by Jane Philips and her team at Splat – could have an entire review of their own. The puppets elevate the story and are a visual delight.
Audience participation is encouraged. Every child is given props, so they can join in and contribute to the story. The music and songs, in which everyone can join in the actions, are a highlight of the show.
mpressive and evocative
Jon Beales’ compositions and lyrics are conjured by Huggins and Bacon with brilliant live piano accompaniment from Will Marshall, fresh from performing at the Commonwealth Games. Bacon particularly dazzles with an incredible voice.
The set is impressive and evocative, with lovely illustrations that help transport the story from library to mountain top.
Gigi Bacon in Dragon Tales. Pic: Monika Ziolkowska.
In the production’s companion piece, Dragon Babies, Huggins takes her younger audience off on a sensory adventure with Bertie the Moon Dragon, while Bacon again brings the puppets to life.
Each baby is provided with a sensory back pack and interaction is encouraged between baby and carer – as well as with the story itself. Huggins expertly leads the show, putting carers at ease while keeping babies transfixed on the tale she tells.
The lighting is complex and scenery beautifully illustrated. The tech team are part of the show, even donning dragon tails. They expertly manage complex scenery and props, providing spare props for babies if required.
There is no compromise on the writing and storytelling. The frog scene is a particular masterpiece, where even Marshall on piano and glockenspiel can’t resist joining in, Ribbit!
stalwart
Huggins is a stalwart of the children’s theatre space in Edinburgh, from Monkey Music at the Pleasance to the various incarnations of Dragon Tales. You can see that this is a labour of love for her and that creating a quality experience is important.
She has considered what babies, children and their carers need from a performance; maintaining high production values while considering important practicalities.
In Dragon Tales, she doesn’t single children out to come up to the front but encourages interaction throughout, while catering for both children who struggle to sit as well as those who may want to observe before joining in.
Even returning the interactive back packs is thought through with stickers and bubbles to distract from parting with fun props and leaving the space.
The LifeCare Centre in Stockbridge is a strong choice of venue for this kind of show. It has a child-friendly cafe, good quality baby changing and buggies can be brought into the room where it happens.
These two are interactive and immersive storytelling at their very best. Dragon Babies, in particular, is a stellar introduction to theatre for babies.
Both shows: running time: 45 minutes (no interval).
LifeCare Centre (George Young Hall), 2 Cheyne Street EH4 1JB, (Venue 524).
Dragon Tales
Mon 3 – Sun 16; Fri 21 – Sun 23; Fri 28 – Sun 30 August 2026.
Mon-Sat: 10am; Suns: 2pm & 3.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Dragon Babies
Mon 3 – Sat 15; Fri 21 /Sat 22; Fri 28/Sat 29August 2026.
Mon-Sa only: 11.30am.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Dragon Songs Productions website: www.dragonsongproductions.co.uk/
Facebook: @DragonSongProductions
Instagram: @dragon_song_productions
Will Marshall, Rachel Huggins, Gigi Bacon and the tech team for Dragon Tales. Pic: Monika Ziolkowska.
ENDS
