Invited by Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, 24 members from the team of Chinese Idiom Stories and Little Truck · Chan-Chan-Change from China National Theatre for Children (CNTC), participated in the National Art Troupes Performance Season in Macao from May 17 to 22, 2023.

From May 19 to 21, the theatre show Chinese Idiom Stories was staged four times at the Sands Theatre in Macao. ‘Pulling Seedlings to Help Them Grow (揠苗助长)’, ‘Wield the Axe Before Master Carpenter Lu Ban (班门弄斧)’, ‘A Fake Yu Player to Make up the Numbers(滥竽充数)’ were the three stories retold in the theatre in every stage.These stories come from Chinese four-character idioms, known as Chengyu (成语), encapsulate profound wisdom and insights into life. 

After the performance, the team of Chinese Idiom Stories had a warm exchange with the audience.

On May 18 and 19, Little Truck · Change Change Change visited primary schools in Macao and performed four shows for nearly 2,000 students.

In the first half of ‘Chan-Chan-Change’, daily life items such as hangers, sponges, and brushes was the main roles, presenting a performance with innocence belongs to children and amusement through the clever transformations of the actors. The second half, ‘Little Truck’, narrated the story of a Little Truck, who is a crying baby but always wants to help others. After facing various challenges, he becomes stronger and braver.

On May 20 and 21, the team of Little Truck · Chan-Chan-Change also had two Art Salons for the Macao Children’s Art Troupe. Combining Cantonese, English, and Mandarin interaction with Macao children, not only brought joy and inspiration but also provided them with richer knowledge of drama and insights into CNTC, promoting cultural exchange between Chinese Mainland and Macao.

Ms. Zhao Hanbing, Vice President of CNTC and the leader of the tour, said, “We hope that through our performances, we can bring the joy of art and spiritual enlightenment to the children of Macao, enhance their understanding of theatre from Chinese Mainland among young children, deepen their recognition and love for outstanding Chinese culture, and promote cultural exchange between Chinese Mainland and Macao”.

Wang Tingyu