Review: Frida and Frosty

by Tara Fitzpatrick

A family friendly comedy, packed with contemporary references and easy-to-learn songs, Frida and Frosty is a performance certain to get your little ones in the festive spirit.  When we first meet Frosty the snowman, on a chilly Christmas Eve, it is clear that he is in need of some help. He must gain his third black button by Christmas Day or he will melt – a prospect too awful for him to bear.  Along with the assistance of Frida, a young girl who fears her prank-pulling may have landed her on Santa’s naughty list, and the audience – big and small – Frosty travels on a sing-along adventure to the North Pole.

The set design is one of the winning aspects of the performance. Welcoming the audience as they arrive at The Old Sheriff Court is a colourful, Christmas grotto certain to delight and enthral the young people as they await the beginning of the show. From here, the audience is led through the building to Frida’s back garden. Snow sprinkled trees surround a large square of grass where the children are invited to sit and where we first meet Frosty. However, the arrival in the North Pole is perhaps the most aesthetically impressive part of the performance. Led by Frosty and Frida, the audience are taken into a festive, all white, Brian Cox Studio complete with mountainous peeks and icicles. The use of screen projections and prosthetic, falling snow help to further set the scene. It is here that we are introduced to many exciting, diverse characters who teach us what life is really like in the freezing North Pole.

The personal, interactive input encouraged by this performance significantly differs from the traditional Christmas pantomime, which can be limiting in its audience participation due to the restraints of the raised stage. Here, the young people can embark upon the adventures alongside the characters working together to solve problems, play games and keep the snowman secret (the secret that snowmen and women can come to life). Although the colourful, festive costumes; friendly, buoyant characters and atmospheric set design are enough to attract the initial attention of the 3-7 year old audience – and their parents and guardians (the ‘Big Ones’) – it is the imagination and creativity of the young people themselves which help the performance to develop. But don’t just take my word for it: the laughter and eagerness of the young audience to contribute ideas and suggestions is a testament to the believability of the show’s characters and the engaging quality of the plot.  A sure-fire festive hit for all ages not to be missed!

Frida and Frosty runs until 30th December 2013, various times. Tickets are £7.50 (£24 for a family of four), available online or by calling 0141 552 4267. 

Review: Now's The Hour

By Rachel Taylor

What is Scotland?

That is the primary question posed by Scottish Youth Theatre's original piece, "Now's The Hour". However, it is not as simple a question as it seems. It necessarily involves the following questions:

What is Scotland now?

What was Scotland? What has she been?

What do we want her to be - and how do we get her there?

This engaging, sharp and thoroughly witty show is achingly raw and entirely honest. This is a group of young people, many of whom will cast their very first vote in next year's referendum and all of whom are grappling with the above questions.

It is a rare gem in preparation for next year's vote, as it presents an utterly unbiased view. Rather than pushing an agenda, it explores with thoroughness many of the issues which are necessarily involved with the debate. No real indication is given of how the actors intend to vote, but the open truth of the issues is presented and the audience are left to reach their own conclusions.

From a performance point of view, the show stands in a league of its own, requiring a relatively small principal cast to act, sing, dance and accent-hop, manage a show which covers everything from dance and movement to rib-aching comedy to sombre and moving deep thought...and it’s all managed with great skill.

This should be required viewing for everyone in the country before next year.

If you didn't have the chance to see Now's The Hour, you can still catch it at the Festival of Politics on Saturday 24 August in the Scottish Parliament. http://goo.gl/HxWFb

SF13 Guest Blogger - Brandon Logan

Hello! My name is Brandon Logan, from Stromness, Orkney Islands. I'm 17 years old.

I'm doing the 6-week Performance and Production Learning Programme. This is my first Summer Festival and the first time I'm involved with Scottish Youth Theatre.

I applied to do this course because I wanted to get the chance to perform on a professional stage and also to make lifelong friends! I'm very happy to see both happening. 

I'm playing the part of Lord Darnley in “Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off”.

My fundraising for the course went really well. I put on a show and I also did some bag packing in local stores.

Who would play me in the movie of my life? I think I’d do it myself!

Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

SF13 Guest Blogger - Scarlett Randle

Hey!

My name is Scarlett Randle, 17 years old and I come from Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire.

I’m new to Scottish Youth Theatre. This is my first Summer Festival. I decided to apply for the Performance and Production Learning  Programme in order to improve my dramatic and musical skills, and of course to meet new people.

I’m in the cast of “Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off”, playing the part of La Corbie.

My fundraising efforts went surprising well. I managed to raise the full amount of my course fees! I organized some fundraising events such as a daffodil tea event and a murder mystery. Plus, I was lucky enough to receive a generous donation from Maersk Oil UK and from my school, Portlethen Academy.

I’d like Lilly Loveless to play me in the movie of my life. Or Shirley Carter – not really!

Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

SF13 Guest Blogger - Elliot Brown

My name is Elliot. Elliot Brown. I'm 16 years old, from Bishopbriggs.

I've been involved with Scottish Youth Theatre since 2002. This year, I'm doing the SQA credit rated Performance and Production Learning Programme.

My favourite thing about Summer Festival is that I get to do what I love the most, which is acting. Plus I get to meet so many new cool people. This year is quite special as I will be part of an exciting new show and get a qualification out of it.

I'm in the cast of “Now’s The Hour”. It’s a whole different experience devising a brand new piece of theatre and collaborating with a large cast of performers. I feel that I'm learning new skills every day. I'm still not sure about the independence referendum but I definitely feel much more engaged. Our hope is to make the audience feel that way too.

Who would play me in the movie of my life? Well, Ryan Gosling of course!


Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

SF13 Guest Blogger - James Charlton

Hello world!

I’m James Charlton, 16 years old, from Moffat.

This is my first ever Summer Festival. My course is the 5-week Performance and Production Course. I really look forward to meeting new people with similar interests with me. I feel I'm in the right place!

I'm in the cast of “Now’s The Hour”, which is a show about making the decision for Scotland’s future. That’s what we’d like to get across; to make the audience ask questions and hopefully find their own answers. We’d like to make them think “What would I do?”. I'm very happy to be part of a fresh, new, thought-provoking show about such an important matter.  

In terms of my fundraising efforts, I was awarded bursaries from the Ian Wardlaw Drama Trust and the Holywood Trust. 

In the movie of my life, I’d like… Robert Paterson to play me!

Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

SF13 Guest Blogger - Leah Byrne

Hello!

My name is Leah Byrne, I'm 16 years old, from Scotstoun, Glasgow.

I've been involved with Scottish Youth Theatre since 2008 and this year I'm taking part in the 5-week Performance and Production Course.

I’m in the cast of Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off and I’m playing the part of Mary.

The best thing about Summer Festival is meeting new people. Everyone here is really interesting, talented and friendly. It’s great to work on a new show and feel really proud performing it at the end.

I've managed to fundraise a large percentage of my course fees by selling things online, baking and saving my own money. My parents also helped me.

In the movie of my life, I’d like Emma Stone to play me.


Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

SF13 Guest Blogger - James Adamson

What’s your name?

James Adamson

How old are you?

16

Where are you from?

Aberdeen

What course are you doing at Summer Festival 2013?

Performance and Production Learning Programme

What production are you in?

Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off

What role are you playing?
I'm playing the part of La Corbie. 

What’s your favourite thing about Summer Festival?

It’s so much fun!

Tell us about your fundraising efforts.

I organised a few fundraising events in Aberdeen and I managed to raise the full amount to pay the course and accommodation fees in Glasgow. Some examples: a race night, a sponsored swim (5km) and a raffle. 

What actor would you want to play you in the movie of your life?

Tom Hanks

Tickets for SF13 shows "Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off" and "Now's The Hour" are now on sale. 6-10 August. To book please call 0141 552 4267 or visit our website.

The Sky Is Falling - Review

By Rachel Taylor

Scottish Youth Theatre’s production of “The Sky is Falling” is easily one of the best productions for families and children that Glasgow will see all year. Entertainment, songs, rhymes and inclusive and entertaining for big and little chickens alike.

This bright and musical telling of the story of Chicken Little is set in a truly beautiful space as the Brian Cox Theatre Studio was totally done over with an incredible farmyard set, including a pond with real (and glittery) water and a life-size cow.

The audience are drawn into the story as the new chickens on the farm, and follow Chicken Licken and Henny Penny as they try and deal with a potentially falling sky! This includes coming across a colourful cast of characters – Ducky Daddles, the adorable duck with a passion for pine cones, a rooster with some great tunes and some ideas about the hierarchy of a farm, and the lying Foxy Loxy.

Various songs that teach the big and little chickens about why a fallen sky is a bad thing – how water, nature and time move in cycles and the songs slowly come together to teach the chickens some important lessons!

Rather than this being a play for children that the adults wait through, this is a play which genuinely entertains young and old alike with the quality of both acting and music extremely high. This is one of the best plays ever to come out of Scottish Youth Theatre which could easily run for three times as long.

Review: Family Storytime - Peach Darling

By Rachel Taylor*

A trip to the theatre could teach your child Japanese?

No, I wouldn't have believed it either.

Welcome to another Family Storytime at Scottish Youth Theatre.

“Peach Darling” is a traditional Japanese story of Momotaro, (literally “peach darling”), the child found in a giant peach floating down a river by a woman who was washing clothes. He was then adopted by her and her husband, the “lovebird couple”. By twelve he was the strongest and smartest boy in the village and he went on to defeat Akandoji, the monster who lived on a nearby island and stole treasure from the people in Momotaro’s village.

“Peach Darling” was another example of how Scottish Youth Theatre have mastered the art of truly interactive theatre. Far from occasionally involved a select one or two children, leaving many disappointed as the actors proclaim from on high, every child, as a group helped to tell the story. Songs were sung (to short, familiar, nursery-rhyme type tunes), games were played, adventures were had, dressing up was done and imaginations ran riot.

Family Storytime is perfect for children of several ages (including the big kids!) and the actors are sensitive to any children who are a little nervous or, for example, walk a little slower than the others. A definite must for any family and a solid four stars to this particular event!

*Rachel is a member of SYT's Young Reviewers group. A group of young people who 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.