Scotland


<p>Returning at the end of this month with a packed programme of theatre, dance, circus and immersive performance from across the globe, <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imaginate</a> is a brilliantly imaginative, refreshingly inventive and designed for kids of all ages, from babies to teens.</p>



<p>Expect aerial acrobatics, visual storytelling, contemporary circus, sensory adventures and laugh-out-loud moments – all staged in some of Edinburgh’s best-loved venues. Here’s the programme, grouped by age groups, with our picks for what to see.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-the-tinies">For the tinies</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-island">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISLAND</a></h3>



<p><strong>A beautifully gentle, multi-sensory performance for babies under 12 months and their grown-ups, combining live music, dance and immersive play. Little ones are encouraged to explore freely while parents soak up this tender reflection on connection, care and early parenthood. Dreamy, intimate and genuinely moving. <em>Fruitmarket, 3 – 7 June</em></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-the-toddlers">For the toddlers</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wow"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WOW!</a></h3>



<p>Toddlers see magic everywhere – and this joyful physical theatre piece leans fully into that idea. Using giant honeycomb paper books, music and movement, performers transform ordinary objects into extraordinary adventures. Expect colour, curiosity and lots of delighted pointing. <em>North Edinburgh Arts, 3 – 5 June</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mirkids"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mirkids</a></h3>



<p>A hypnotic visual feast where audiences lie beneath suspended mirrors watching dancers create kaleidoscopic patterns overhead. Mesmerising, calming and unlike anything else on the festival programme. <em>Studio Theatre, 31 May – 1 June</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antes-de"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antes de</a></h3>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Antes de... by BRONKS and Compagnie Tea Tree | Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQ2lxQgq6PM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p>Two acrobats wobble, leap and support each other through all the emotions of trying something new. Sweet, funny and full of physical brilliance, this is a tender ode to courage and curiosity. <em>Lyceum Studio, 3 – 5 June</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-the-littlies-4">For the littlies (4+)</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-gretel">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gretel</a></h3>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Gretel by Quattrox4 Company | Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LwOzXfgc7Yw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><strong>Inspired by fairy tales and themes of migration and belonging, this contemporary circus performance blends object manipulation, dance and visual storytelling to moving effect. Poignant but uplifting, with plenty of charm for younger audiences. <em>Assembly Roxy, 2 – 7 June</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-in-time">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In Time</a></h3>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="In Time by Teater Refleksion, Andy Manley and De Røde Heste | Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWMK19qjebU?start=2&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><strong>This playful show follows two men attempting to nurture a tiny seed into life. Packed with humour, absurdity and warmth, it cleverly captures the chaos and joy of raising children. <em>Traverse 2, 1 – 4 June</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-unlikely-friendship-of-feather-boy-and-tentacle-girl"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl</a></h3>



<p>A soaring aerial theatre show about outsiders, friendship and embracing who you really are. Expect breathtaking aerial choreography, emotional storytelling and some seriously impressive flying. <em>Assembly Roxy, 31 May – 7 June</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fabulous-tale-of-basarkus"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fabulous Tale of BasarKus</a></h3>



<p>A wildly inventive mix of circus, acrobatics and juggling following a strange two-headed creature discovering individuality. Physical, funny and visually dazzling, it’s a celebration of identity and growing up. <em>Studio Theatre, 5 – 7 June</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-the-tweens-8">For the tweens (8+)</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-cheeky-zippy-violette">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheeky Zippy Violette</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Cheeky Zippy Violette | Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42RIHUnkaa0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><strong>Sent to the attic after misbehaving, Violette tumbles into memories of her grandfather and starts asking life’s biggest questions. Tender, imaginative and often very funny, this inventive show blends storytelling with object theatre to explore grief, family and growing up. <em>Scottish Storytelling Centre, 4 – 7 June</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-boys-don-t-dance">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boys Don’t Dance</a></h3>



<p><strong>Award-winning disabled artist Marc Brew draws on his own childhood in this uplifting dance theatre production about refusing to conform. Featuring BMX tricks, movement and an irresistible 80s soundtrack, it’s heartfelt and hugely empowering. <em>Paisley Arts Centre, 14 – 15 May; Eden Court, Inverness; 20 May; Traverse 1, Edinburgh, 1 – 3 June; The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, 5 – 6 June</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-everything-nothing"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everything/Nothing</a></h3>



<p>What if time itself could be juggled? Circus artist Alexis Rouvre creates poetry from magnets, wool, sand and volcanic stones in this quietly astonishing piece of object theatre. Beautifully inventive and surprisingly meditative. <em>Traverse 2, 5 – 7 June</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-the-teens">For the teens</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-s-pick-toto-kerblammo">Muddy&#8217;s pick: <a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toto Kerblammo!</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Toto Kerblammo! by Unicorn Theatre | Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j9tt9p7RsjE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><strong>Tim Crouch’s immersive new play combines live performance with binaural headphone audio to extraordinary effect. Following Effy and her hidden dog Toto, it’s a powerful story about loneliness, hope and friendship with genuinely spine-tingling sound design. <em>Studio Theatre, 2 – 4 June</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cringe"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cringe</a></h3>



<p>Fast, funny and painfully relatable, this sharp coming-of-age story follows Reid Aitken as he navigates bullying, humiliation and survival at high school. Honest, emotional and full of heart. <em>Scottish Storytelling Centre, 31 May – 3 June</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-party-box"><a href="https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Party Box</a></h3>



<p>The creators of cult hit <em>Invisible Man</em> return with a gloriously chaotic theatrical farce centred around a mysterious giant party box. Surreal, interactive and brilliantly unpredictable, this one’s ideal for older kids and teens who like their theatre weird and wonderful. <em>Traverse 1, 4 – 6 June</em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/summer-festivals/">Hot tickets: the ultimate guide to Scotland’s summer festivals 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/female-comics-2026/">Funny girls: The 8 female comics you need to see this year</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/secret-summer-gardens/">Shh! Scottish secret gardens open to visit this summer </a></li>
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