THIS summer, Shenzhen’s young audiences — and the young at heart — are in for a treat as the hit interactive puppet show “Professor Slug’s House of Bugs” arrives from the U.K., bringing a lively celebration of the natural world with a bilingual twist.

Professor Slug, an eccentric invertebrate expert, runs a help desk for insects with all sorts of sticky situations. With his curious and compassionate assistant Hopper the Grasshopper — who speaks both English and Chinese — the duo invites children to join the fun. From helping a snail recover its slimy slime to working out with ants to get stronger, crafting “pooey perfume” for a dung beetle’s big date, and fixing the Queen Bee’s wings to find a beautiful park getaway, every moment is filled with laughter and discovery.

Based on a hit show featured at the Royal Botanic Gardens in the U.K., this bilingual adaptation has been specially crafted for Chinese audiences. The performance blends English and Chinese with live Chinese co-performers and on-screen subtitles, encouraging children to participate in real-time interaction throughout the show.

The show aims to spark curiosity about the natural world while fostering language engagement in a joyful, immersive setting. It’s an ideal summer outing for families, offering a perfect mix of fun, learning, and cross-cultural connection.

Recommended age: 3+

Time: 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Aug. 8

Venue: Multifunction Hall, Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Bao’an District (深圳滨海艺术中心多功能厅)

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit D(Tang Li)