JOURNEY UNDER THE SEA THROUGH 3 TIMELESS TALES
This production has now closed
Dive into a magical underwater adventure with three enchanting tales from Japan and China!
After delighting audiences in June 2025, this enchanting fusion of storytelling and theatre is back by popular demand — now with bigger and more colourful fish swimming across the stage!
OCEAN COMMOTION is told in both English and French. The stories come to life through playful puppets, mesmerizing projections, and imaginative props that capture the attention of children and adults alike. The lively script keeps the action flowing in both languages, making it easy for everyone to follow the journey — no matter which language you speak.
Performance schedule
Saturday 20 September 2025
Sunday 21 September 3pm
DON’T MISS OUR TRIPLE CATCH OF THE DAY!
THE LITTLE CRAB
draws on the Japanese art of kamishibai, or storytelling with pictures. There is lots of vocal audience interaction throughout, as the little crab learns to act responsibly and make new friends.
URASHIMA TARO
is one of the most popular folktales in Japan. It involves a journey on a turtle’s back, a deep dive to a sunken Palace where a filial fisherman meets an enchanting Princess. Our telling is inspired by the Japanese style of bunraku puppetry, in a highly theatrical sequence featuring over two dozen fish and sea creatures!
HOW TO BECOME A DRAGON
A comical Chinese tale, in which a small creature with a big dream manages to overcome an intimidating obstacle in order to achieve her goal!
Our Dragons are highly animated in the form of swirling Chinese dragon ribbons.
WHAT OUR AUDIENCES SAID
Magnifique!
Des décors visuels superbes, de la musique en direct et des histoires qui font rêver…
même les adultes retombent en enfance.
Mention spéciale au Petit Crabe, tellement mignon !”
“This show is pure joy.
The Little Crab was stunning (our little one keeps imitating him!), and the Urashima Taro scene with the sea creatures puppets stole the kids (and parents!) hearts!”
“Un spectacle familial
qui sort de l’ordinaire :
marionnettes, projections, humour et émotion.
Les enfants étaient captivés
du début à la fin.
À voir absolument!”
“A beautiful show with
puppets, music, colours…
My kids were totally engaged, and I loved how the bilingual storytelling made it accessible for everyone.”
“Un pur moment de poésie
et de rires!
On a adoré la façon dont l’histoire est racontée en anglais et en français,
tout le monde a pu suivre.
Bravo à toute l’équipe
“Clever, interactive,
and full of imagination.
We left with big smiles
and bigger dreams.”
“A vibrant and joyful performance!
You can feel the passion of
the actors in every scene.
My kids were thrilled to hold
the puppets after the show –
such a lovely, personal touch.”
The performance features live music and sound effects throughout each story.
The talented musicians from OUR MUSIC STUDIO use a score of predominantly percussion instruments – including tongue drum, sea drum, rainstick, xylophone, shakers, rattles, gongs and swanee-whistles – to evoke a raging storm, magical transformations and add comical effects!
THE CAST
ROGER JENKINS
an award-winning storyteller and author (1995 Singapore Literature Prize) and award-nominated theatre director, who has successfully crafted and told many stories bilingually, with story partners telling in Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese and diverse Indian languages.
JUSTINE DEVISSE-MEZRANI
is a French actress who shares Roger’s love of improvistion in theatre, and who haa a passion for children’s books
Our non-speaking CAST:
24 gorgeous sea creatures:
a large sea-turtle
5 clown fish,
1 stripey fish
3 grand sardines
1 puffer fish
1 lantern fish
1 rainbow fish
1 hungry grouper
a majestic tuna
a beautiful golden fish
a family of marlin (swordfish)
and 7 glowing jellyfish!
There is also a crane (courtesy of The Finger Players) plus 2 Dragons, 2 Masks, 3 sea-fans, a 6-metre saree and a Magical Box (Which Must Never Be Opened!)
In order to animate so many puppets and props, we incorporate elements of the Japanese style of puppetry known as bunraku.
In bunraku, there are three puppeteers for each of the main characters.
- One is visible and he voices the puppet and manipulates the head and right arm.
- The other two puppeteers (who operate the left arm, the legs and any props such as a sword or fan the character uses) are dressed from head to toe in black and wear black hoods (like ninja warriors.) They are considered to be invisible to the audience. However, to a young audience, the hooded figures may look scary, so our assistants are unmasked (but still invisible!)
We rely on Diep Tran (Vietnam), Luxmi Ghale and Safalata G (both from Nepal) to be the extra evocative hands to help us create stormy waves, a poetic sea – and all that lies (and flies!) above and below!