CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

The Unexpected Gift

This highly interactive and inclusive dance-theatre performance is made especially for and with children with complex needs such as autism.

The Unexpected Gift

About The Unexpected Gift

7 - 15 years

The Unexpected Gift celebrates the art of play and curiosity, taking ordinary objects and making them extraordinary and magical. This is a story reversing the idea that it is the wrapping paper, the cardboard boxes and ribbons that should be discarded, and reveals that playfulness, creativity and imagination are the true gifts. Bursting with energy, acrobatic dance, textures, sounds and colour to create a multi-sensory wonderland from the left-over boxes, ribbons and wrapping.

This highly interactive and inclusive dance-theatre performance is made especially for and with children with complex needs such as autism. Playfulness within the work creates space for live response between the audience and performers, with its adaptable approach allowing the individuality of each child to be celebrated. The Unexpected Gift is designed for a small audience to be able to accommodate and engage young people who experience the most barriers to access. It was inspired by Barrowland Ballet’s production The Gift, a co-commission by Aberdeen Performing Arts, Capital Theatres and Eden Court.

Sponsored Links

Murrayfield Experience
Go Ape
Murrayfield Experience
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Escape The Past
MNB

Other Events at Lyra or Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

The Enchanted Snake

1st November 2025

Join Dunedin Consort at the Lyra Theatre for a fantastical, musical adventure and journey with them through magical realms for The Enchanted Snake!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Tea Green
Murrayfield Experience
Salvation Army
The Chocolatarium
WST
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council

Similar events you might like...

Arthur’s Secrets

Arthur’s Secrets

Selected dates between 14th January 2025 - 31st March 2026

Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur's Seat's turbulent past, created by fire and ice!

READ MORE
Family Print Club

Family Print Club

Selected dates between 26th January 2025 - 30th November 2025

Edinburgh Printmakers' Family Print Club is perfect for children as they explore lots of different printmaking techniques and have fun as well!

READ MORE
Portobello Local Market

Portobello Local Market

Selected dates between 1st February 2025 - 6th December 2025
Portobello

Portobello Local Market is a much loved monthly event for truly local food, drink and crafts, held in Brighton Park!

READ MORE
West Linton Market

West Linton Market

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 6th December 2025
West Linton

A monthly market for West Linton, held on the first Saturday of the month, showcasing artisan foods, produce and crafts!

READ MORE
Makers Market

Makers Market

Selected dates between 2nd March 2025 - 7th December 2025

Come along to the Makers Market in Portobello Town Hall for a gorgeous selection of handmade products from local makers!

READ MORE
Newhailes Market

Newhailes Market

Selected dates between 15th March 2025 - 21st December 2025

Come along to Newhailes monthly market where you'll find a fine selection of handmade goods; from jams and chutneys to pies and candles!

READ MORE
Makers Market at Lind & Lime

Makers Market at Lind & Lime

Selected dates between 29th March 2025 - 30th November 2025

Support The Makers is delighted to return to Lind & Lime in 2025 with up to 28 makers!

READ MORE
Sunday Market on the Croft

Sunday Market on the Croft

Selected dates between 6th July 2025 - 21st December 2025

Earth in Common's weekly Sunday markets return to Leith Community Croft, celebrating local, small businesses, and sustainable products and produce.

READ MORE
Find Out Fridays

Find Out Fridays

Selected dates between 15th August 2025 - 19th December 2025

Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons, during school term-time, with our Learning team at the National Museum of Scotland.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Murrayfield Experience
Go Ape
Murrayfield Experience
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Escape The Past
MNB
Tea Green
Murrayfield Experience
Salvation Army
The Chocolatarium
WST
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council

Popular Events

Billy Reekie
Fife singer-songwriter Billy Reekie is on a UK tour and brings it to The Caves Edinburgh on Tuesday 24th February!
Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
Halloween Fireworks Nights
Conifox Adventure Park is back with a bang this autumn with their Halloween Fireworks Nights!
Edinburgh Nuclear Bunker Tour
Don't miss an amazing opportunity to see part of Scotland's Cold War History on the Barnton Nuclear Bunker Tours every Saturday and Sunday!
Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall