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| - As you would expect from the title, Panda! is a family-friendly show. Unfortunately, there are no real pandas and my showing was their last under the current contract. But don't lose hope - if all goes well the team will return in March 2015!
I had low expectations going into the show (even with our free tickets) and during the opening number I feared that these expectations would be met. There were body-suited pandas running up and down the aisles, jumping up and down on stage and dancing with audience members. I felt like I was on the set of Sesame Street.
But very quickly the playful vibe took a turn as the pandas went from jumping on poles to watching one panda balance on spindly little poles 30 feet in the air.
What separates Panda! from many other shows is the fact that it's like one big Chinese acrobatics, dance, and cultural show woven into a storyline without any words. Pandas are not the only animal to make an appearance - other dancers are elaborately costumed as snakes, monkeys, vultures, and more. It's a treat to see how Chinese culture perceives each of these animal spirits and represents them using martial arts or dance.
Panda! keeps the audience engaged throughout the 90 minute show without taking intermissions by having mini interactive sessions like throwing out candy as the Peacock Princess arrives on her palanquin, bouncing giant panda beach balls into the audience, and even showing off a few magic tricks. I also loved the use of the curtain as a prop: it's designed to look like thick stalks of bamboo and really helped set the stage for different segments of the story.
Since there's no words and the athleticism displayed is simply mind-blowing, you don't need to be heavily involved with the story to enjoy the show. I'd recommend this show for everyone, especially those with an interest in Asian culture.
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