Are you ready for a season of stories, play and imagination? This July and August, The Theatre Practice (Practice) and Berries World of Learning School are proud to announce the return of Berries Chinese Theatre Festival: Family Edition.
Featuring reimagined nursery rhymes, international puppetry and interactive arts experiences, the third iteration of the festival invites families into a vibrant world of storytelling, creativity and play.
Theatre as a Gateway to Language, Imagination and Intergenerational Connection
Over the past six decades, Practice has championed the spirit of play through its vast repertoire of Mandarin Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) productions, classes and school programmes, all of which create opportunities for young people to deepen their relationship with Chinese language and culture.
Berries Chinese Theatre Festival: Family Edition is both a consolidation and extension of this work, reframing children’s relationship with Mandarin as a joyful medium for self-expression, imagination and creativity.
According to Practice’s Artistic Director Kuo Jian Hong, this year’s festival continues Practice’s long-held philosophy that ‘play is serious business’. “These programmes are not created solely for children. They are spaces where adults and children can create memories together and rediscover the joy of play.”
The Breakfast Kakis Return With Reimagined Nursery Rhymes
Under the beloved Imagine Our Songs series, the Breakfast Kakis have reached over 60,000 audience members, making it one of Singapore’s most popular Mandarin arts programmes for families.
These mini jukebox musicals bring classic Mandarin nursery rhymes to life for a new generation while inviting adults to revisit cherished childhood memories. The newest instalment consists of two original stories featuring newly arranged songs from The Nursery Rhymes Project 4. The Breakfast Kakis will also lead audiences in a pre-show crafting activity, encouraging children to co-create the imaginative Nursery Rhymes world through making.
Experience Acclaimed International Puppetry Without Leaving Singapore!
This year’s festival also welcomes acclaimed Taiwanese puppetry company Flying Group Theatre for the Singapore premiere of The Three-Legged Crab-Eating Mongoose and the Giant.
Adapted from the picture book by acclaimed Taiwanese writer Wu Ming-Yi, the production combines puppetry, objects, light, shadow and live performance to create a poetic theatrical experience celebrating nature’s vitality.
Since its premiere last year, the production has received critical acclaim and toured extensively across Taiwan. Through this tender and visually striking work, children are invited to develop empathy, courage and emotional awareness, while adults are encouraged to rediscover the beauty and resilience of the natural world through a child’s perspective.
Extending the Spirit of Play Beyond the Stage
The festival sees the return of the Play With: series, this time created by teaching artists from Practice’s long-running Children’s Courses.
“The goal is not simply to complete a task or produce a finished outcome, but to discover one’s own ideas through the process,” Kuo explains. “By stepping away from screens and returning to tactile, imaginative play, families can reconnect through shared experiences and rediscover everyday joys.”
This philosophy comes to life in two family experiences under the Play With: series.
Play With: The More We Make Together
Designed for children aged 4 to 6 and their families, this workshop is led by veteran arts educator Ang Lay Hoon (Teacher Red).
In this interactive, craft-centric experience, Teacher Red invites families to get hands-on and make something new together. Families are encouraged to reimagine everyday objects in a guided woodcrafting process. Through collaborative creation, they’ll discover new possibilities in familiar materials while exploring cooperation, problem-solving and mutual support.
Play With: Story Quest
Designed for children aged 7 to 9 and their families, this collaborative storytelling experience is led by storyteller, performer and arts educator Ng Mun Poh.
Families are invited into a shared adventure of storytelling and theatre games where participants must work together to tackle “roadblocks”. In a playful reversal of everyday family dynamics, children take on the role of leaders, guiding adults through theatrical missions and creative challenges.
Ticketing Information
Tickets for the Berries Chinese Theatre Festival: Family Edition are now available via BookMyShow.
For programme details and ticket bundle promotions, visit practice.bigtix.io or follow The Theatre Practice (@thetheatrepractice) on social media.
Featured image credit to The Theatre Practice
