Sing Along With the Fairy Song
★★★★☆ ethereal
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Venue 30): Thurs 1 – Sun 25 Aug 2024
Review by Sophie Good
Children’s author Janis Mackay presents just under an hour of fairy-themed songs and story telling in Sing Along With the Fairy Song at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for three to eight year-olds.
Mackay gently invites her audience to repeat back the lines that she sings to children and grownups. There are verses in Gaelic and Catalan; all themed around nature, forest and, of course, those little unseen creatures the fairies.
Fairy Dancing on stage with Janis Mackay. Pic: Janis Mackay.
It’s all very gentle and wholesome – the audience are encouraged to use their imagination around the different parts of the forest and who might be hiding there. The audience interaction includes naming favourite trees and flowers; as well as some grown ups reciting short poems.
The show ends with Mackay reading her own story The Fairy Song with its delightful accompanying illustrations shown on the back screen. It’s a lovely story and one which really takes you on a journey and brings together the themes of the piece.
fairy party dancing
Our young reviewer was keen to get her own copy of the book and get it signed. The younger members of the audience (many of whom had come dresses as fairies) were invited on stage at the end to join in with some very special fairy party dancing.
All in all, a tender hearted and sweet celebration of nature, fairies and imagination. A perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the nearby Royal Mile and especially suited to those younger audiences who might find the louder comedy and dance pieces a bit overwhelming.
Running time: 55 mins (no interval)
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Netherbow Theatre), 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR (Venue 30)
Thursday 1 – Sun 25 August 2024
Daily (not 9, 14-16, 19-23): 11.45am
Tickets and details: Book here
Website: https://www.janismackay.com
Facebook: @JanisMackayAuthor
Facebook: @janis.mackay.5
X: @janismackay
ENDS
