We've asked a Greek to write about the Aesop's Fables.

This Family Storytime Season is Aesop's Fables season. Although we thought that we knew every single story, we realised that we didn't know that much about this weekend's the North Wind and the Sun. For this reason, we had a Greek friend of ours to write this post and tell what the story is all about and who is Aesop anyway.


Being Greek you learn about Aesop before you even learn to speak. The first thing you must remember is that every character in Aesop's stories symbolises an idea or a human attribute. The fox is cunning, the tortoise is steady and determined, the ants are hard-working. Aesop very cleverly used animals instead of people, in order to engage audiences and actually help them learn. He was in fact the first storyteller.

Now, this weekend's story, the North Wind and the Sun, is a story about persuasion and force. This time however, we don't have animals as characters. In the story, the Wind and the Sun fight about who is stronger. Seeing no other way of resolving this problem, they decide to try their power upon a poor traveller. What follows is a hard battle between cold and heat, between force and persuasion. The story gives many opportunities for fun and games, but at the same time it has a very useful message about all the things we can achieve with persuasion. 

Scottish Youth Theatre's storytellers have a unique way to transform stories to a fun and engaging family activity. You know, Aesop's fables were never meant to be in books. Their true purpose was to be performed by a storyteller.     

The North Wind and the Sun, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May, 10:30 and 12:30.

Review: Family Storytime - The Mice in Council

By Sophie Charlotte Thomas*

As soon as I arrived at Scottish Youth Theatre, I could feel the energy and excitement bubbling from all the little children outside the Edwin Morgan Studio. I couldn’t help but wonder how their energy would be contained throughout the production.

As soon as the doors swung open and two enthusiastic storytellers burst out welcoming the audience, my previous concern disappeared. Each child was captivated by the actors’ animated voices and faces. As we were led into the studio, which can only be described as a treasure trove of colourful props and costumes, the children were instantly drawn into this imaginary world

The simple story of Mr Higgins, his cat and some mischievous mice who liked swimming in soup (a past time which I suspect will not feature in this year’s Olympic Games) was jam-packed with opportunities for audience participation: catchy songs, little actions, the chance to help the mice solve their problems and even swim in soup alongside their mousey friends.

The experience was fully interactive for every child and the adults were provided with great amusement from some of the hilarious comments made by the children. Like when asked if they knew what a council is, one of the children wittingly replied “East Renfrewshire is a council right?”. The story allowed the children to think and learn without even being aware of it.

The performance itself was exciting, simple and, frankly, full of fun. The actors were full of enthusiasm. Each performer had incredible improvisation skills, reacting and responding to everything the children said. The simplicity of the performance made it accessible to children of all ages.

The story was the perfect length and the children were transported to this imaginary world, which becomes evident from just looking at their faces and listening to their laughter. The children’s imagination was stretched and explored and the imaginary wall usually found in a theatre performance was completely broken down. They even had the chance to play with the amazing collection of props and costumes on the stage. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to theatre from a very early age and it is a fun family activity. I just can’t wait to take my baby niece to her very first Family Storytime at Scottish Youth Theatre!

*Sophie is a member of SYT's Young Reviewers group. A group of young people who study theatre and they are passionate about performing arts for children and young people. If you want to take part or to find out more, you can email kyriakosv@scottishyouththeatre.org.

Summer Festival 2012 - Twisted Shakespeare - APPLY NOW!

SF11 guest blog number 9. Rory Beaton

Hiya pals,
I'm Rory Beaton and I play Tod in "Prom Night of the Living Dead." Obviously today I am the guest blogger (the best blogger yet!). Yesterday was a day off for "Prom Nighters" after working from last sunday right through until Saturday doing our technical and dress rehearsals. Tod is a comic-book-hero-mad lad. He is also the valedictorian for his year and also a trend setter in style!

We open tonight at the Tron Theatre, which I'm extremely excited about! The whole cast and crew have worked extremely hard on the show and we hope that you enjoy what you see on stage! It has been discussed that a film about my rather exciting(!) life should be made and it is indeed rumoured that Alan Carr will be playing the role of me. I can confirm that sadly these rumours are false and there is no film to be made about me; sad, sad times! Hope to see everyone at "Prom Night"!
Over and out,
Rory B :) x

SF11 guest blog number 9. Kenneth Watt

Hello! (Or should I say "Huzzah!" - an in-show joke),

I'm Kenneth and I play a rather manic and enthusiastic Duke of Edinburgh leader in the three week devised show, "Zombiism", which the 20-strong cast has written and put together over the past week and a bit.

Today has been very productive and stressful - but as Tom and Andrew, our directors, remind us, pain, spit and sweat are our friends - so a lot has been achieved in preperation for our first full run which will start in around twenty minute's time!

The show will involve the audience as Duke of Edinburgh award participants who will be taken through various rooms and settings in the SYT building. Without revealing too much about the storyline, anyone seeing it will experience promenade theatre as never seen before as well as a very unique set - one exciting part is that the audience will be housed in sleeping bags/on logs/camping stools in the camping scene.

So, if you want to be part of an "unforgettable experience," get your tickets for Zombiism now!

Oh yeh - if I was to be played by someone in a movie about me, I'd go for Craig Roberts. He's Welsh, which gives a crackin' accent, and he plays the protaganist in the film of the book "Submarine" which portrays a nerdy, weird teenager: me!

SF11 guest blog no. 9 - Jamie Morrison

Well, I'm Jamie, I'm playing Tom in 'Born Bad?' Tom is the older brother of Grace and as the show progresses you see him gradually break away from the rest of his family.

This is my third Summer Festival and I'm really enjoying it, this year I'm working with Fraser which is a first and I'm liking the change and it's been a great four weeks. I've met loads of new people this year which has been brilliant and of course I've got to see everyone from years before who I haven't seen in ages.

Today we have been doing our Technical Rehearsal, which has been, very, very tiring. We started teching at about three and so far we've made it to the third scene! It's great to be on the stage with all the set out and in our costumes and with the completed sound track.
Hmm, who would play me in a movie of my life? Well, I don't think that would be a very interesting movie, but I'm told that currently I look like Draco Malfoy or Christopher Eccleston which would be quite funny to see.
Well, I'd better go and get into costume and onstage before it's too late, I don't really want to anger Kenny or Fraser or Jayne!
I'll see you at the showings of 'Born Bad?' in the Brian Cox Studio Theatre!

SF 11 Guest blog no.8 - Nicola Currie

Hi, I'm Nicola Currie and I am one of the wardrobe assistants on Summer Festival.

So, we're halfway through week 4 and here in the Wardrobe Department, we've finished sourcing, making and altering most of the costumes for the casts for all 3 shows. Although I have been working primarily on Prom Night, here in Wardrobe we muck in and help out on all of the shows when we can. For this year's shows, the majority of costumes to make were for Prom Night so it's been like a 50s B movie in our wee room for the last few weeks!

Because we have now started to place all the costumes in the changing rooms ready for the dress rehearsals and techs, we are at a great stage where we can source all the nice parts of dressing that makes costumes come together, for example shoes, bangles, earrings, gloves, glasses, caps, etc.

With what feels like hundreds of young people to dress, where possible we "make do and mend". Yesterday, we spent the morning painting PVA glue on four pairs of £6 VERY high heel shoes and covering them with bright blue glitter, they now look a million dollars! I wonder whose costume they could be......!!!!

The person I would like to play me in the movie of my life would be Lorraine Kelly.

Right, we're off to pick up some last minute items in the sales, see you for opening night!

Nic xxx