EdFringe 2023 Children’s Shows
Edinburgh-made shows for kids at #EdFringe 2023
There is a strong showing of theatre for children this year, with 19 shows in the listing, aimed at audiences ranging from babes in arms to early teens.
There are a lot more Children’s shows in the programme, we know, performed by many talented individuals. However, this listing is primarily for theatre-based shows – with a smattering of other tempting treats.
Gill Robertson in Lightning Ridge from Catherine Wheels. Pic: Brian Hartley
There are 169 shows Made in Edinburgh at #EdFringe this year. In order to make things clearer, we have divided the listing up into seven parts. On this page you can find an alphabetical listing of all the theatre by Edinburgh companies for children and young people.
Here are links to the other listings:
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Amateur companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Grassroots companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Youth and Student companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Professional & Funded companies.
Edinburgh-made Musical Theatre & Opera.
Edinburgh-made Dance, Cabaret & Spoken Word.
We are also proud to work with EPAD to produce and publish their annual listing of shows “created, performed or produced by Edinburgh’s theatre professionals” which is here.
Listing
Ancient Ballad of Thomas the Rhymer (Into the Woods)
Into the Woods
artSpace@StMarks (Venue 125)
14 -19 Aug 12:30 (1 hour)
An exciting new take on the ancient Border ballad of Thomas the Rhymer with specially composed music performed by John Sampson. Performed by John Sampson, Julia Munrow and Pete Baynes. Further details.
CeilidhKids at the Fringe
CeilidhKids / Free Festival
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House (Venue 170)
3 – 27 Aug (not 17, 22, 24): 10:00 (45 minutes)
Fun Scottish dancing for all the family. Very simple child-friendly dances to traditional Scottish music. Hugely popular with local families, now it’s your turn. Bring mum or dad along to partner you under the chandeliers! Further details.
Children’s Underground Ghost Show
City of Edinburgh Tours
City of Edinburgh Tours @ Old Police Box (Venue 157)
1 – 28 Aug: “11:00, 12:30” (45 minutes)
Who haunts our world-famous vaults? Join Minging Annie from Edinburgh’s past and explore what it’s like being trapped beneath the city streets for 400 years. Ghostly fun for everyone in our underground. Further details.
Experts Radiolab
Alice Mary Cooper
National Museum of Scotland (Venue 179)
8-10, 15-17, 22-24 Aug: 11:00 & 14:00 (2 hours)
Kids are experts. Some are experts on jumping, some on dinosaur fossils, some on making mud pies. Whatever it is, our mics are on, the interview chair is ready and we’re about to go live. Experts Radio Lab and the accompanying Listening Station is a free, drop-in experience, set within our pop-up radio studio at the National Museum of Scotland. Interviews are shared live to an audience of fellow interviewees, their families and anyone who’s curious. Part of the MadeInScotlandShowcase.com. Further details.
First Piano on the Moon (Revisited) – Will Pickvance
Will Pickvance
Summerhall (Venue 26)
4 – 27 Aug (not 14, 21): 11:50 (1 hour)
Young piano trickster Will is invited to play for Mozart’s birthday celebrations. Surely he’ll be exposed as a fraud. Whirlwind piano, storytelling and animation. ‘How real genius always welcomes the new’ Further details.
FlamenKids
TuFlamenco
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
13, 20 Aug: 14:30 (55 minutes)
Original, well-made, fun, passionate and highly entertaining show where you’ll experience a breathtaking professional flamenco performance of eight artists interacting with the wee ones. Well-suited for all ages and stages. This will be a show to remember. Ole! Further details.
Girl Called Grace
Mr Blue Productions
The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241)
14 – 18 Aug: 10:30 (40 minutes)
A little girl is sent to retrieve a needle and thread from the ferocious Baba Yaga and must outrun the witch to reach her father’s hut. A wonderful story about the power of kindness. Further details.
Kings and Queens
Recitals for Wrigglers
Stockbridge Church (Venue 317)
16 – 26 Aug (not 23): 14:00 (35 minutes)
A fun, interactive and educational show for babies and toddlers. Fringe sell out 2022! Professional violinist and cellist perform up close and personal – enjoyable for the whole family. Further details.
Lightning Ridge
Catherine Wheels
Summerhall (Venue 26)
4 – 20 Aug (not 7, 14): 11:30 (55 minutes)
A story about the possibility of dreams, about a community coming together, the preciousness of hope and how, sometimes, we have to believe in the impossible. Further details.
Magic Gareth: Level Up!
Magic Gareth
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
2 – 20 Aug (not 16): 10:30 (1 hour)
One-up your Fringe game this festival by adding mind-blowing magic, a grumpy unicorn and 10 XP! Magic Gareth returns with this magical family extravaganza including games, tomfoolery and trickery live on stage! Further details.
Plague, Poo n’ Punishment
Natalie Nardone, Ben Nardone, Edinburgh Storytellers
The Lost Close (Venue 443)
3 – 28 Aug: “10:00, 12:00” (45 minutes)
Edinburgh’s gruesome past is brought to life by two actors (as seen on CBBC) in this hilarious family show. Includes live music and horrible stories from centuries gone by. Warning: Children must keep adults under control! Further details.
The Railway Children
C theatre
C ARTS | C venues | C aurora (Venue 6)
2 – 27 Aug (not 14): 16:00 (1 hour)
Three siblings have their lives turned upside down when their father is falsely imprisoned and they must move to the country. Heartwarming new adaptation of E Nesbit’s classic tale of family and adventure for all ages. www.ctheatre.com Further details.
Reach for the Stars
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 4)
4 – 8 Aug: 10:10 (1 hour)
When the directors call for auditions for the actors, comedy and mayhem ensues as this young cast bring energy, talent and enthusiasm to the stage. A fun show, showcasing Edinburgh’s young talent. A great family show. Further details.
Sea Dragon Babies
Dragon Song Productions
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
2 – 20 Aug (not 16): 11:00 (40 minutes)
From the creators of Moon Dragon, Sea Dragon is the most perfect experience for babies under one at the Fringe in 2023. Specially written for young audiences this is a fully interactive, sensory, music show. Further details.
Sea Dragon for Under 5s
Dragon Song Productions
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
2 – 20 Aug (not 16): 10:00 (40 minutes)
From the creators of Moon Dragon, Sea Dragon is the most perfect experience for under 5s. Full of puppets, dragons, live music and more, this interactive, sensory, musical theatre show is just perfect. Further details.
Smashing Shakespeare
Scott Coltman for Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon at the Museum (Venue 64)
2 – 15 Aug): 11:30 (1 hour)
Two musical-comedy versions of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Brave Macbeth and Juliet & Her Romeo. Check our socials for daily performance information. ‘One of the best children’s shows at the Fringe… enjoyable and fun for all ages’ ★★★★★ (BroadwayBaby.com). Further details.
Smithy’s Scavenger Hunt
Adam Smith’s Panmure House
Panmure House (Venue 305)
5 – 11 Aug (not 5): 11:00 (1 hour 5 minutes)
Are you fascinated with Edinburgh’s history? Do you want to have a blast while learning about the Scottish Enlightenment and its leading figures? You may even meet a special guest! Includes certificate and a medal of completion. Further details.
Wee Seals and Selkies
Janis Mackay
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Venue 30)
4 – 27 Aug (not 9, 14-18, 21-25): 11:00 (50 minutes)
Be transported to the northern seashore, where waves lap, gulls cry and a seal is born in a garden! Join award-winning children’s author/storyteller Janis Mackay as she weaves two enchanting tales, accompanied by live fiddle music. Further details.
Wriggle Around the World
Recitals for Wrigglers
Stockbridge Church (Venue 317)
16 – 26 Aug (not 20, 23): 10:30 (35 minutes)
A fun, interactive and educational show for babies and toddlers. Fringe sell out 2022! Professional violinist and cellist perform up close and personal – enjoyable for the whole family. Further details.
ENDS
