Edinburgh International Childrens Festival announces four new commissions for its family day
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival has just commissioned four new pieces of work from Scottish-based artists as part of its free opening family day on Saturday 25th May!
Article Source: Edinburgh International Children's Festival
Last Updated: 19 February 2024 14:23
• Two commissions (Soup and The Boy Who Couldn’t Sit Still) developed as part of Imaginate’s Creative Encounters project which places children at the heart of the creative and decision making process.
• One commission (The Prom Pom Queen) in partnership with Merchant City Festival.
• One commission (Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots) in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA)
The first two were selected by young people involved in Creative Encounters, while the other two were selected by a panel including staff and freelance artists.
Soup by Suzi Cunningham and Alex McCabe from Moonslide will see two chefs attempting to make soup using a range of vegetables and utensils while getting into comical situations with sketches, tea-towel acrobatics and kitchen pot music making. This idea was selected by P4-P7 children from Forthview Primary School in Pilton who will work closely with the artists to develop the characters, compose music and choreograph dance routines for the final performance.
Suzi and Alex said: "Working in communities to explore dance, clown, and collaborative cooking, we've found that this can open minds, hearts and mouths to wholesome vegetable goodness. Soups bring generations together. They represent at once ancestral wisdom and individual creativity: they bind families and cultures together, they recycle off-cuts, and they are made for sharing."
The Boy Who Couldn’t Sit Still by Cecilia Thoden van Velzen and Cameron Prince will be a dance between a boy and the chair he’s been told to stay in. What happens when this boring kitchen chair starts moving its legs? And what happens when you simply can’t sit still? The idea was selected by children attending Pilton Youth Project who will work with the artists to develop the boy’s incredible imagination, as well as support a puppet designer with the design of the magical chair.
Cecilia and Cam said: “There is nothing more powerful than imagining something that makes the world around you more interesting. And there is nothing more frustrating than being told that you can’t or shouldn’t. We want to celebrate those great unseen ideas and amplify the voices of the children who came up with them.”
The Prom Pom Queen by Kerry Cleland and collaborators Ben Winger & Katy Wilson, will involve an extravagant character offering playful pom pom provocations around the museum. Prom Pom Queen will also appear at the Merchant City Festival in July. Pom poms can be anything and everything and within them is a world of opportunity. Families will be able to watch, interact or relax, and even make their own pom pom. The Prom Pom Queen costume will be designed by renowned costume designer Alison Brown.
Kerry said: "The costume will be elaborate but the play will be simple. It's about connecting with one another, going on a journey with people and seeing where we end up. The audience informs the story. So what happens? I don't know yet, but I cannot WAIT to find out!"
Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots by Lewis Sherlock celebrates all that we love and hate about vegetables, with two giant beetroots and their carrot microphones dancing and interacting with young audiences as they roam the museum. This will also be performed at Aberdeen’s Light the Blue festival in June as part of a partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Lewis said: “Pitch-forked as deliberately low-key, The Lo Fi Hip Hop Beetroots focus on gentle engagement with the audience whilst making fun music and lo-fi dances. They are the ultimate warm up gang – and they are good in a salad too.”
All four performances will be performed throughout the day at the Festival’s Family Encounters on Saturday 25 May. The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival runs from 25 May – 2 June and will offer a jam-packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people, their schools and families, as well as industry professionals.
The Festival’s full programme will be announced on 20 March at www.imaginate.org.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Rare female cheetah arrives at Edinburgh Zoo
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed four-year-old female cheetah Domino to Edinburgh Zoo from Zoo de Cerza, France.
READ MORE
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
November and December at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Christmas to Artist in Residence, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in this festive season!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Small Businesses shine as part of small business roadshow
Independent businesses in Edinburgh celebrated as part of Small Business Saturday’s Tour highlighting the nation’s favourite businesses
READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh open in Edinburgh this month
Two immersive experiences which bring the work of a pair of iconic artists to life in mesmerising and moving fashion are set to open in Edinburgh this month.
READ MORE
The many worlds of Stephen King return to Vue this autumn
As the The Long Walk wraps up in cinemas, fans of Stephen King can look forward to seven classic re-releases heading to the big screen this autumn.
READ MORE
First ever Letters Live cinema events comes to the Big Screen in Edinburgh this week
A very special cinema event is coming to Edinburgh this week, comprising a preview of a brand-new film, a world-renowned literary event and an appearance from a BAFTA-winning actor.
READ MORE
Flight Club Edinburgh launches limited edition Winter Menu and Festive Brunch
Flight Club Edinburgh kicks off Christmas party season with the unveiling of its specially curated limited-edition menu and festive celebration-worthy bottomless brunch.
READ MORE
Deer Park unwraps a festive calendar of fun for December
Deer Park Golf & Country Club is set to bring a touch of Christmas magic this December, with a month-long programme of festive events for families, friends and colleagues to enjoy.
READ MORE
Vue Ocean Terminal set to welcome luxurious new seating option
Film fans in Edinburgh will soon be able to enjoy the latest releases in the ultimate comfort with the arrival of Vue’s signature Ultra Lux seat at its Ocean Terminal venue.
READ MORE
Decade of teaching Scotland to swim capped In Edinburgh
A PROGRAMME that has created a legacy of confident swimmers across Scotland has reached a major milestone, celebrating ten years of transforming lives through the power of swimming.
READ MORE
Call for homeowners in Edinburgh and Lothians to check eligibility for Energy Saving Home Improvements
With energy bills remaining high and winter approaching, thousands of families in Edinburgh and the Lothians could be missing out on free home energy improvements worth £10,000 or more.
READ MORE
Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
RZSS continues call for national ban on public sale of fireworks
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is renewing its call for a national ban on the public sale of fireworks, one year after the tragic death of baby red panda Roxie at Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MORE
Edinburgh to welcome globally renowned DJs to perform at The Johnnie Walker Experience
FREE Tickets for ‘Keep Walking Live with NTS Radio, presented by The Johnnie Walker Experience’ are available now on Resident Advisor.
READ MORE
Magical Winter Village to light up Fort Kinnaird for the first time this Christmas
This Christmas, Fort Kinnaird will be transformed into a festive wonderland filled with seasonal street food, artisan gifts, fairground rides and spectacular circus shows for all to enjoy.
READ MORE
First Footin Trail returns to Kick Start
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay organisers today announce the first events at this year’s First Footin’ programme on New Year’s Day.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival makes 60 new flagship events available worldwide
Edinburgh International Book Festival is releasing 60 more events from its August 2025 programme for global audiences this week on a Donate What You Can basis.
READ MORE
Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
Make a difference to East Lothian during Trustees Week
Volunteer Centre East Lothian urges people to lend their support to local charities by becoming a trustee.
READ MORE
The Christmas tradition of the year is back...
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
Customers queue for 18 hours at Popeyes Fort Kinnaird
Today, Popeyes® UK, home of the famous Louisiana Chicken, opened its Fort Kinnaird restaurant in Newcraighall, with over 100 people in the queue for launch day.
READ MORE
Midlothian primary school set to celebrate centenary with a week of music and memories
Exactly 100 years since Newtongrange Primary School first opened its doors, teachers and pupils are set to celebrate its centenary in style.
READ MORE
National Roadshow to Shine a Spotlight on Edinburgh Small Businesses
Edinburgh’s small businesses are set to take centre stage this week as the Small Business Saturday nationwide roadshow rolls into town on Wednesday, 5th November.
READ MORE
St Andrews Day ticket offer for Castle of Light
Edinburgh Castle ignites excitement for Castle of Light: Fire and Ice with special St Andrew’s Day ticket offer.
READ MORE
Shuttle Bus Route Launched at Lost Shore Surf Resort
Lost Shore Surf Resort is teaming up with Scottish sustainable travel pioneer Ember to launch a new all-electric shuttle bus service from Edinburgh City Centre to the resort.
READ MORE
Michelin success for top new restaurant of the year in Edinburgh
Barry Fish, one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated new restaurants of 2025, has earned its place in the prestigious Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland, just 8 months after its launch.
READ MORE
Deer Park Golf and Country Club Tees Up Championship Quality Golf All Year Round
Deer Park is offering golfers the chance to enjoy superb playing conditions 365 days a year, ensuring the course remains in peak form, whatever the weather.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links