After a number of years of attending theatre performances, I now know that that when SRT stages a Chinese play, I should make plans to go watch it. Because past experience that it will be something that the whole family will enjoy. 小红帽 was no exception.
I think like most English-speaking parents, I have tried ways and means to interest my children in the Chinese language, with varying levels of success. Mei has always demonstrated a keener interest and greater willingness to read and use the language than Noey, and this I put down to the fact that I started earlier with her to try to get Chinese to be a part of her vocabulary. In this regard, I have found that seeing the language as a living and breathing thing that is useful has been key to getting them to accept the Chinese language as part of their lives. So more than simply relying on school or enrichment class, it has been the time I’ve spent reading Chinese books to them, introducing them to Chinese songs or shows, or just speaking Mandarin to them (even with my half-past-six Mandarin) that has made the difference.
When I told them that we were going to watch 小红帽, they were both excited to go. My husband was the only one who turned to me doubtfully when the show started when he realised that the show was in Mandarin. But shortly after the show started, he was also laughing along to the jokes and clever word play in the story.
It being a while since our last Chinese play, I was pleased to see that at nearly 9-years and 6-years, their level of Chinese has improved to the extent that I no longer had to interpret the show line-by-line to them. Noey was able to understand a good amount of the dialogue and I caught him chuckling happily to himself at certain points of the show. Mei still needed some on-the-spot interpretation, mostly because I think she was not used to the speed at which the dialogue was being delivered. Still, she was able to catch on to the story, aided by the fact that the play was based on the familiar tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
Which is not to say that the play was a straight reproduction of the simple fairytale. Oh no. As has been our experience with previous SRT plays, the story was instead creatively adapted such that even us adults were absorbed in the tale. I won’t spoil the watching experience by relating the story but suffice to say, I loved how a clever twist gave us a happy ending.
Entertaining for the whole family, even if you have to step out of your comfort zone to watch this in Chinese. I promise it will be worth you time.
Red Riding Hood 小红帽
Ticketing and Show Information
Season: 20 Jul to 1 Sep 2017
Venue: KC Arts Centre- Home of SRT
Performance Times: Weekdays 10am, Weekends and Public Holidays 11am and 2pm
Ticket Prices: $28, 25 (Weekdays) $48, $38, $35 (Weekend and Public Holidays); Family packages with photo taking opportunities are also available.
Duration: 65 mins with no interval
Booking Through Sistic: https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/cred0917 or call ticketing hotline at 6348-5555.
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