A programme of readings of original source material for classic musicals and early drafts of future musicals presented by members of the MT@GS 2009 company for a discerning audience to offer feedback and an early morning welcome.

More About the Kidzone >

New This Year!

Pleasance is launching a new children's area this year. With story hours, music, fun and games for all, make sure you stop by for an hour or two!

Including activities such as Story Hour and Monkey Music, the Kidzone is open from 10.30am - 6pm, and even when there are no scheduled activities, you can still play. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Timetable:
10.30am - 11.15am Monkey Music Workshop (aged 2 -5 years)
11.30am - 12.15pm Monkey Music Workshop (age 6 months - 2 years)
12.30pm - 1.30pm Free Play
1.30pm - 2.15pm Story Hour with special festival guests
2.15pm - 3.15pm Free Play
3.30pm - 4.15pm Story Hour
4.30pm - 6pm Free Play

Story Hour:
Pleasance's unique story hour takes place twice daily throughout the festival for children of all ages. Come and listen to your favourite story tale told by one of our festival special guests underneath the shelter of our giant teepee tent. For 45 minutes, let your imagination run wild!

Please remember that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Pleasance Teepee.

Monkey Music:
Award-winning Monkey Music Workshops combine songs, rhymes and musical games and fun with percussion instruments for children aged 3 months - 5 years. They are held in Edinburgh throughout the year.

Timetable:
10.30am - 11.15am Monkey Music Workshop (aged 2 -5 years)
11.30am - 12.15pm Monkey Music Workshop (age 6 months - 2 years)

*Please note one ticket admits one adult and one child, any additional adults will need a separate ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults can bring more than one child*

Monkey Music, the award-winning pre-school music group for children aged 3
months - 5 years across the UK and Ireland, will be running special
workshops in the Kidzone during the Festival. The 45 minute workshops
combine songs, rhymes, musical games and fun with percussion instruments
suitable for 3 months - 2 years and 2 years to 5 years. The children in our

The cult rock’ n’ roll musical for 2 - 7 year olds is back!
Dude returns to Edinburgh following appearances at Glastonbury Festival. BYO Teddy Bear and join in the action.
Dude! Where’s my ticket?

**** The List
**** Sunday Herald

'The children are bouncing to that lost teddy bear beat' Time Out

'Fine example of children’s theatre' Sunday Herald

Musical for children with puppets and actors. Max is moving home but he
doesn’t want to. he has a fear of the unknown. Maybe Duck, Pig, Hare, Rat and Frog will calm his fears? Based upon the ever popular illustrated books, Frog will touch young and old!

'Frog is an inspired creation' Guardian

'Enjoyed by parent and child alike' Mail on Sunday

Suitable for ages 4+

'Inherit The Wind' tells the story of the Scopes trial, in which a Tennessee biology teacher was charged with illegally teaching the theory of evolution. Two great American legal minds and a highly-charged battle of beliefs!

Eight very different women meet in a secluded retreat for people with ginger hair. Their stories are explored in a hilarious portrayal of the issues this genetic minority face. The characters and audience are eventually asked to embrace their ginger-ness, because beauty is in the heart, not in the hair.

Putting on a play? Find out more about producing shows from those in the know with our panel of established producers: Richard Jordan, James Seabright and Guy Masterson.

Gorgonzola! Jump on the second bus, the driver’s saved you a seat. Come and meet a bullfrog blues band, a clapped-out bison, a forgetful wolf – and a most unusual little mouse. A totally full-throttle adventure guaranteed to get you absolutely revved up.

'Dazzling... extraordinarily imaginative' Scotsman

'Brilliantly effective' Guardian

aul Merton and his highly acclaimed Impro Chums are wonders of nature. Impro Chums take audience suggestions and create cascades of fantastic tumbling laughter. Most of the time. The Impro Chums are Paul Merton, Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Mike McShane.

'Every year (they) bring the house down…a testimony to their brilliance and consistency' ***** MIRROR

*Please note one ticket admits one adult and one child, any additional adults will need a separate ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults can bring more than one child*

Monkey Music, the award-winning pre-school music group for children aged 3
months - 5 years across the UK and Ireland, will be running special
workshops in the Kidzone during the Festival. The 45 minute workshops
combine songs, rhymes, musical games and fun with percussion instruments
suitable for 3 months - 2 years and 2 years to 5 years. The children in our

An opportunity to ask Vicky Featherstone about her career as a director, seek advice and to find out what it is to be the Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland. Don't miss this!

What are you? Actor or performer? Doing or being? Discuss these questions with actress Nichola McAuliffe, well known for her extensive television and stage work which includes Edinburgh, Chichester, RSC and the West End. Book now!

How to produce and buy your shirt back! The Stage newspaper lists Nica as the fifth most important person in British theatre. Chief Executive of Nimax Theatres, Nica will tell all about producing.

How to write a comic song. Writers, singers, performers - bring your notepads and learn from performer and songwriter Dillie Keane, and fellow member of the ever popular 'Fascinating Aida', Adele Anderson.

Enter the strange and bizarre universe of a wild balloon tamer where surreal and stupid things happen. Combining circus and comedy, performer and clown Danny Schlesinger creates an utterly joyous experience loaded with surprises and laughs. Warning! Features loud balloon pops!

'A master of his own particular brand of tomfoolery' The Stage

'Charming, poetic and skilful as it is silly, both full of heart and absolutely hilarious' Amanda Huotari, Celebration Barn Theater, USA

The Foodiverse is at war: can Ice-Cream Man and his fruity friends bring peas?!
Smash hit dude! Where’s My Teddy Bear? creators serve up lashings of music, a sprinkling of puppetry and a huge dollop of hilarity in this delicious tale of dietary balance for ages 4 - 400

An extraordinary collection of human beings are contained within glass jars and cabinets. An exploration of how we might live within our limits - featuring Clod Ensemble's distinct style of imagery, choreography and original music. A Sadler's Wells commission.

PLEASE NOTE:

Show Start Times are:-

12pm,3pm and 5pm (20mins)

Conor Mitchell & Matthew Hurt. Predicted to be the most fun had by audiences at this year’s festival, direct from Philadelphia, this therapeutic musical delves into the psyche of 7 eccentric characters during their weekly group therapy session. From the brains of critically acclaimed composer Conor Mitchell and playwright Matthew Hurt, come share in the circle of trust.

QUACK! RIBBIT! COCK-A-DOODLEDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Pendulum presents this Olivier Award winning musical from the writers of ‘Mary Poppins’. Based on ‘The Ugly Duckling’, this enchanting tale is sure to delight, surprise and leave you feeling tickled! The family treat of 2009. Also on at 16:00 on the 15th and 16th August.