Opera, Agents, and a Puppet Villain: Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground Brings Cantonese Chaos to the Fringe

From Hong Kong-based company One Table Two Chairs, Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground is a fast-paced, interactive family show that fuses the traditions of Cantonese opera with the joy of clowning and children’s theatre. As Captain Dic Dic and Chang Chang take on the puppet villain Boring King, young audiences are invited to join in the mission, learning simple Cantonese phrases and traditional opera movements along the way.

We spoke to the team behind Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground, ahead of its return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

For those unfamiliar with Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground, how would you describe it in one sentence?

Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground is an interactive adventure that introduces children and families to the vibrant tradition of Cantonese opera, blending storytelling, music, and audience participation in a playful, English-adapted production.

What inspired you to mix the traditions of Cantonese opera with children’s interactive theatre?

We wanted to preserve and share the beauty of Cantonese opera with new generations while breaking the misconception that it’s too complex or distant. By combining it with interactive theatre, we created an engaging experience that makes this traditional art form accessible, fun, and meaningful for young audiences. It’s about bringing the past to life in a way that resonates with the present.

How do young audiences typically react when asked to join the mission and participate in the show?

Young audiences are absolutely captivated! They light up with excitement as they take on the roles of secret agents, mimic Cantonese opera gestures, and even speak key phrases in Cantonese. The interactive elements—the chance to touch props, participate in routines, and join the adventure—create unforgettable moments of laughter, learning, and joy.

What does it mean to you to bring a Cantonese opera experience to a global platform like the Edinburgh Fringe?

Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe is a dream come true. It’s a global stage where cultures meet, and bringing Cantonese opera here allows us to showcase this unique art form to an international audience. By adapting the production into English, we’ve broken language barriers and made the beauty of Cantonese opera universal, proving that it can connect people across cultures and continents. It’s an honor to share Hong Kong’s cultural heritage in such a vibrant and inclusive setting.

What’s one Cantonese phrase from the show that everyone should remember—even after the lights go down?

“的的撐撐” (Dic Dic Chang Chang)—the rhythmic sounds of the Muyu (wooden fish) and Gong—symbolizes the heartbeat of Cantonese opera. It’s a playful phrase that celebrates creativity, rhythm, and tradition, leaving a lasting impression on audiences of all backgrounds.

If you had to join Captain Dic Dic and Chang Chang on their next mission, what magical tool would you bring to defeat the Boring King?

I’d bring a magical lantern that projects Cantonese opera scenes onto the sky, filling the world with vibrant costumes, gestures, and music. This would ensure that even the dullest corners of the world are illuminated with the rich beauty of Cantonese opera!

Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground is at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Theatre 3, from 1–9 August, 13:10 (13:50).  For tickets head to https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/cantonese-opera-x-children-s-interactive-theatre-dic-dic-chang-chang-playground