Grug Returns to Hong Kong: Windmill Theatre’s Colorful Puppetry Show for Kids

Australia's Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow"

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited Australia's Windmill Theatre Company with Grug, a celebrated picture-book character, to return to Hong Kong after a hiatus of 10 years. The Company will perform the puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow" as the finale of this year's "Cheers!" Series from February 28 to March 2 (Friday to Sunday), bringing a colourful and heart-warming adventure to toddlers and Grug fans of all ages.

Grug is a character from the much-loved picture books by Australian writer Ted Prior. Grug started out as the top of a burrawang tree that fell to the ground. He is fascinated by the world around him. In "Grug and the Rainbow", Grug is amazed by the vibrant colours of a rainbow after the rain stops, and wants to have a rainbow of his own. On his journey to gather the colours of a rainbow, Grug encounters a bowerbird and a crab, and sets off on trips to the beach, the city and the snowfields, where he experiences cycling, playing drums, house painting, skiing, and more. His friends Cara the carpet snake and Snoot the echidna join him to experience a series of surprises and fun happenings as he explores a world of colour.

With accessible storytelling, a simple yet delicate set and magical sound effects, "Grug and the Rainbow" is best suited for children aged 2 to 6. The actors skillfully manipulate the exquisite puppets, blending them with vivid and riveting voices, to bring the characters of the picture book to life. There are several audience participation bits throughout the performance, while the company ingeniously integrates daily objects and knowledge into the scenes, enabling young audiences to acquire knowledge through the theatre-going experience, unleashing their imagination and creativity.

Founded in Adelaide, Australia, in 2002, the Windmill Theatre Company has earned a global reputation as a leading producer of theatre for children, teenagers, and families. It was hailed by newspaper The Australian as "the best children's theatre company in the country". Over the years, the Company has presented 65 productions in over 3 000 performances in more than 300 cities and towns across 30 countries.

The performance schedule of "Cheers!" Series: "Grug and the Rainbow" by the Windmill Theatre Company (Australia) is as follows:

Performances in English with simple Cantonese interpretation:

February 28 (Friday), 5pm and 7.30pm

March 1 (Saturday), 11.30am

March 2 (Sunday), 2.30pm

Performances in English:

March 1 (Saturday), 2.30pm

March 2 (Sunday), 11.30am

The above-mentioned performances will be held at the Cultural Activities Hall of Sha Tin Town Hall. Each performance will run for about 35 minutes without intermission. An interactive session will be held after each performance. Tickets priced at $280 (half-price tickets for full-time students and children aged 6 or below) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult, and one ticket per person is required regardless of age (including young children). The "Cheers!" Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1779.html.

Australia's Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Australia's Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Australia's Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Australia's Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters with epidemiological linkage

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 9) investigating two epidemiologically linked suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 39 students from two primary schools. The students developed symptoms after consuming lunch provided by the Sailing Boat Luncheon Production Limited. The CHP reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The first cluster involves 12 boys and 16 girls aged between 6 and 11. They attend a primary school in Sham Shui Po. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately three to 31 hours after eating school lunch containing fish, chicken cutlets, sauce, garnish and rice, which was provided by the abovementioned school lunch supplier on January 6.

While investigating the first cluster, the CHP of the DH traced the supply chain of the school lunch supplier and identified another cluster, involving eight boys and three girls, aged between 10 and 12, who attend a primary school in Diamond Hill. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately five to 15 hours after eating lunch containing chicken, cervelat sausage, sauce and fusilli at school yesterday (January 8). The food concerned was also provided by the same school lunch supplier.

None of the affected students required hospitalisation and they are all currently in stable condition.

Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, have inspected the food factory of the school lunch supplier concerned and the kitchen of the first school. They inspected the food storage, the food preparation process and environmental hygiene. Investigation revealed that some food items, such as meat and sauce, were prepared at the food factory, while the other food items, such as rice and garnish, were prepared at the school kitchen. It is suspected that some food items were prepared too early in advance. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend operations for thorough cleaning and disinfection, improve food preparation process and hygiene standards. The CFS has provided food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff. Food and environmental samples were collected for testing.

The investigation of the CHP and CFS is ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:

Avoid eating raw seafood;

Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;

Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;

Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;

Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;

Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;

Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;

Drink boiled water;

Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;

Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and

Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Source: AI-found images