Returning to the Edinburgh Fringe after the success of her production Macbeth for Bairns last year, storyteller Brooke Laing again seeks to entertain the child audience with her immersive and powerful version of Romeo and Juliet.
“Award-winning storyteller Brooke brings an immersive, theatrical, comical version of the love story of Romeo and Juliet. Bringing another of the Bard’s plays to the bairns – there’s nothing tragic about this story! Back by popular demand after sell-out shows of Macbeth For Bairns at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 and 2025. Get ready to hit the dance floor at the House of Capulet and get down with the Montagues! Featuring level 2 BSL at performances 21-23 Aug.”
Where: George Mackay Brown Library at Scottish Storytelling Centre
When: 7-23 Aug (not Wed)
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/romeo-and-juliet-for-bairns
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
Romeo and Juliet for Bairns is all about bringing the bard to the bairns [Scots for children], why not!! Bairns, I’m pretty sure, might be a little tired (if not at least their grown-ups) of traditional nursery rhymes.
By using theatrical props, adapting nursery rhymes with lines from the play, quirky and comical acting, with some physical theatre chucked in, this whimsical interpretation is intended to be fun for the bairns and for the child within us.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
I thoroughly enjoy the Fringe! My first experience was at the age of 16, when I was fortunate enough to secure work experience with The Traverse Theatre. My sweet Aunty Muriell suggested we email theatres participating in the Fringe, and The Trav was the only theatre to respond; I worked on their show Knives In Hens.
I remember calling The Scotsman and asking if they would be willing to print some papers they needed for the show. They agreed and allowed me to come in and watch them print the papers we needed on their press rollers; it was fascinating to watch. Such kindness and support for a theatre was hugely beneficial, and I’ve taken that into my work to this day. Companies want to help; kind people help kind people!
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
Meeting the wonderful families that come along to the show; they are such a fun audience, super excited and intrigued to experience a show that is possibly thought to be for teens upwards.
Last year’s show, Macbeth for Bairns, brought this audience through the doors; there was so much laughter and joy as they watched “the Scottish play” unfold for the babies! The responses were so positive; some grown-ups even shed a tear or two.
It reached them more than I could have possibly dreamed of, as I really had no idea how it would be received. One mum said she remembered the very first time she had watched Macbeth at the RSC and that she would forever remember this magical performance with her babies equally for the rest of her life. That got me in tears!
What’s next for the show?
Gosh! Happy for suggestions…
Frankenstein keeps popping into my mind as a possibility, but I think for the meantime I will keep with Shakespeare and consider doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It would have to be at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the best venue in Scotland; they make the whole experience of the Ftinge such a positive one, not just for me but for everyone that walks through their doors.