When I was a child a trip to a ‘children’s performance’ ultimately meant The Singing Kettle. As a young theatre goer this wasn’t such a bad experience, I inevitably joined in the “pot, handle, lid of metal” shenanigans and enjoyed myself. It was only as I got older (perhaps eight or nine) and more cynical, but was still forced to see the Kettle for my younger brother’s sake that I got to thinking “there has to be more out there than this…”  And indeed there is at this year’s Festival in the shape of Theatre Alba’s The Quest for Excalibur.

Set in the magical gardens of the Duddingston Kirk we join jester, Tumshie (Robert Williamson), and wizard, Merlin (Neil Mackay), at a terrible time. King Arthur has lost his precious sword, Excalibur, which he uses to keep peace across the land, to the evil witch Morgana (Lorraine Blyth). Tumshie must help Merlin to recover his Seven Wonders in order to restore his full power and gain Excalibur back for the King. But Tumshie needs help; help that a willing audience might be able to provide.

The Duddingston Kirk gardens make an apt setting for this quest of magic, witches, wizards, trolls and fairies, but it does require a cagoule, even an umbrella, to brave the bold Scottish summer and this promenade journey. Written and directed by Clunie Mackenzie this production is aimed at children and encourages their involvement. With the weather perhaps dampening spirits the children weren’t forthcoming at joining in, leaving the cast looking a little inexperienced at how to cope in this situation. Parental intervention and a few loving shoves in the right direction and the children are enjoying volunteering to carry the treasures, the younger ones liking the silly songs and the older ones offering jokes and solving riddles to help. Whilst amused when being involved and directly addressed, the children tended to become restless during the story, mostly due to the thick Scots dialogue being used.  Since most children aren’t brought up in direct contact with this language a lot of them got lost in interpretation waiting for the next piece of action.  This play will keep the little ones entertained as long as the adults don’t mind joining in too and helping out, but don’t force the double digits to come or there may be a little wrath to deal with.

Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden, Old Church Lane, Duddingston Village (0131 556 9579)

Jul 30, Aug 6, 13: 14:30 (1hr) £6 (£4)
Jul 31-Aug 5, 7-12: 11:30 (1hr) £6 (£4)