Five Reasons To See … Why the Lion Danced
Why the Lion Danced is a new show from award-winning British East Asian theatre company Yellow Earth. Running at the Polka Theatre from 20 February, it uses shadow play, live music, song, dance and a Lion from China, and involves everyone scaring away the monster and performing the Lion Dance. It runs until 2 March.
Here the company give us five reasons to see the show…
1. To celebrate Chinese New Year
What better way to celebrate the Chinese New Year than with young Tom and his family in their busy Chinese take away! Join Tom as they sweep and scrub, making sure everything is especially clean because the cleaner things are the better they will be able to soak up all the good luck that comes with Chinese New Year!
2. Award winning theatre company
Yellow Earth was established in 1995 by five British East Asian performers with the aim of raising the profile and standing of British East Asian theatre. The company has won many awards including the Pearl Award for Creative Endeavour (2004), the Windrush Award (Arts Achievement Award to David Tse Ka-shing, 2004) and Sainsbury’s Checkout Theatre Award (1999).
3. To learn the story of the Lion Dance
The Lion Dance is the story of a village that live in fear of a terrible monster eating their children. In desperation, the villagers turn to the animals of the Chinese zodiac, asking for help and protection. One by one, the other animals try and fail to protect them, only the Lion can save them! Help Tom and his family create their own lion dance and scare the dreaded monster Nian away.
4. February Half Term
Stumped for something to do this half term? For the price of one West End theatre ticket you can bring the whole family to see Why the Lion Danced. When you arrive at Polka you can also play in our indoor play area, dressing up box, outdoor playground and have a tasty treat in the Polka Café! Not bad for an afternoon out!
5. Enormous fun!
Grown-ups will enjoy this show as much as the children will! With the hilarious antics of the whole family careering around the take away kitchen and with Tom’s Grandma Nana rumoured to be a Kung Fu black belt, this show delights and entertains the whole family.
