Top Picks for Kidsfest 2015: Book your tickets now, mama!

Almost every mom I know in Hong Kong has heard about Kidsfest. Since 2012, ABA Productions has been dedicated to bringing in high-quality tour productions from the UK to Hong Kong and Singapore. They try and bring a variety of productions each year, so that kids of all ages can find something they’ll enjoy. This year’s Kidsfest has brought back some of the favourite shows of the past as well as some new productions that are sure to please.

“KidsFest is an exciting festival for the whole family where compelling characters are brought to life and scenes from well-loved books are enacted vividly on stage. It is a wonderful platform for family interaction and at the same time, nurtures a child’s interest in literature and language. KidsFest has become a key event on Hong Kong’s calendar of cultural events when families can look forward to a series of world-class productions,” says Matthew Gregory.

Let’s break down the highlights of Kidsfest 2015:

Repeated Favorites

This year we’ll see re-stagings of popular shows that have come to HK before and sold out! If you missed the previous runs this is your chance to get in on the fun. The Gruffalo, Snail and the Whale, Princess and the Pea and The Tiger Who Came To Tea are back for another go at the HK Drama stage in Wan Chai.

I reviewed Snail and the Whale during one of its previous runs. Check out the review, if you’re still not sure about whether you want tickets or not…

For Older Kids…

The Horrible Histories series is a more kid-friendly version of “A Brief History… abridged.” So you can take your older kids to see these and they’ll enjoy hearing about all the dark, grim parts of history with physical gags and some silly songs thrown in.

This year Vile Victorians and Barmy Britain, part 2 will be presented. If your kid hates history class- this is a great way to get them into it and also a fun way to hear about all the scandals of Victorian England.

HK Premieres

Two shows in the Kidsfest lineup are brand new. The first is Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, a production brought in from the land down under, with incredibly realistic dinosaur puppets. I have not seen the touring version of the show, but I saw this company in Australia when I was a kid and I have to tell you – I still remember how realistic it was and the magical feeling I felt when I saw the puppets in person, 20 years later. (That’s a mark of a very high quality production.)

Another new show is Hugless Douglas. This is a show more appropriate for the preschool age and kindi crowd. Douglas is a big bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug but he can’t seem the find the right hug that fits! It’s a very cute children’s book and on stage I’m sure that kids will be dying to give Douglas a hug.

Discounts and Policies to be aware of…

Now, I know some moms and dads in HK might automatically make a face at the price tag on the Kidsfest shows. They range from $195 to $435 per person.

There are discount policies: if you purchase tickets to two or more productions you save 10%. There are also ticket discounts when you purchase group tickets for 10 people or more.

You can go onto Kidsfest’s Facebook page and click the like button, as they often give away discount codes and offer giveaways on a pretty regular basis.

There is no minimum age for the Kidsfest productions, so all humans require a ticket, even a baby in a stroller or a toddler on your lap. Be aware of this when you make your purchases. Kids booster seats are available at the HKAPA Drama Theatre, just ask your usher when you arrive.

Tickets are available through HK Ticketing’s website and at the box office. Booking ahead for these productions is strongly advised, many of the shows only have single seats left.

You can find out all the information about Kidsfest and their show schedule at their website.

kidsfest.com.hk

You can read more about upcoming shows in Hong Kong at Meaghan’s fab theatre blog, www.hkeld.com.