Interactive Painting Performance Lets Kids Know Messing Up Is OK

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Last year, I discovered a local company that specializes in bringing international kids' performances to China – 小不点大视界 (xiǎo bù diǎn dà shì jiè) – which I wrote about here. At that time, we had bought tickets to catch a musical performance titled “Anatomy of the Piano,” which was later cancelled due to Covid. However, things are different now, and I'm thrilled to share my experience of our first performance with the company which goes by the English name A.S.K - The Art Space for Kids.

The performance – titled “Plock!” – is described as “a visual circus-sound theatre that appeals to all the senses. With buzzing cans, dancing paint, coloured sounds, and an acrobatic painter. A performance for everyone who likes to colour outside the lines every now and then.”

As a heads up, I should say that when I mentioned that I was going to catch this performance to a fellow mom, she said, “Oh that's too messy for me.” I didn't think too much of her comment at the time, but in hindsight, I see how I should have realized what that meant.

The second clue I missed was the text message I received on the day of the performance, which instructed us to arrive an hour before the slated time in order to store our belongings and to put on raincoats. Raincoats – suddenly it dawned on me that we were most likely going to get painted on, or splashed with paint.

The performance was 45 minutes of physical spectacle and messy painting fun! It took a while for everyone to warm up, but 15 minutes into the show peals of kids’ laughter and loud giggles could be heard echoing through the room as performer Annie Marie twirled and spun around while spraying bits of paint everywhere.

Annie went above and beyond to be inclusive, even using a few Chinese words that she had picked up from living in the country previously, and also calling on a volunteer to help her paint. You have been warned – you will get messy! But not to worry, as it’s water-soluble paint which was easily washed off my kid’s face and hands.

After the show, you also get a little goody bag with a set of paints and pipettes to let kids create their own "messy artwork". The staff there will add you to a WeChat group to share a video tutorial as a guide, as well as share professional photos from the show.

Image credit: 刘雨桐

PRO TIP: There are a number of good food choices such as Subway and a sushi place right outside the theater, but with little seating room in those places, you’ll most likely end up going to LINES restaurant, whose humble ground floor exterior hides a much more luxurious second floor. Plus, it has pretty good salmon and fresh juices! Watch the price tag though.

A.S.K has an entire 16-month lineup of overseas performances for young audiences for 2023, and you can see all the details on their WeChat mini program. As with the previous article I wrote, if you plan ahead and find that your kid is interested in at least four upcoming performances, you might consider getting the 8-ticket package, which will lower the rather hefty price tag of RMB 320 per person to just RMB 280 instead.

“Plock!” will play until the end of February, so you still have this weekend to catch it before the next new performance will come in. Shows are at 730pm on Friday, and 1030am and 230pm on the weekend. The company rates it suitable for ages 3 and up, and sure enough my almost 8-year-old enjoyed himself too. Get your tickets easily through their mini program on WeChat.

Images: 小不点大视界 (xiǎo bù diǎn dà shì jiè), Vivienne Tseng-Rush

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