AN award-winning interactive clown theater show from Denmark, “Jekyll on Ice,” is set to delight Shenzhen audiences during the National Day holiday, offering a family-friendly performance that blends physical comedy, audience participation, and ice cream.

Presented by the renowned Paolo Nani Theater, the show is a warm and humorous visual comedy that reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” The production strips away the original’s dark atmosphere, transforming the story of good versus evil into a playful and absurd comedy.

The plot follows Jekyll, a sensitive and introverted ice cream vendor who dreams of creating the world’s most delicious ice cream. His life takes an unexpected turn when a mishap unleashes his brash and narcissistic alter ego, Hyde, leading to a series of chaotic and hilarious events. The performance is non-verbal, relying on the masterful physical comedy of the actors to communicate with the audience.

A key feature of the show is its high level of interaction. Jekyll brings his fully equipped ice cream cart onto the stage, complete with giant speakers, a smoke machine, a freezer, and an air pump capable of blasting 2,000 liters of air per minute. The performance escalates with increasingly absurd and poetic scenes, culminating in a festive “rock band” atmosphere and an ice cream party involving the entire audience.

The production has received international recognition, including the Gold Award at the European Comedy Award – United Slapstick in Frankfurt and the First Prize at the Roner Surpris comedy festival in Bolzano, Italy. It is also nominated for the Danish Rumert Award, one of Denmark’s highest arts honors.

Paolo Nani, the show’s creator and artistic director, is a globally renowned figure in physical and clown theater. Born in Italy in 1956 and based in Denmark since 1990, he also serves as an artistic advisor for the Danish National Theater and the Icelandic National Theater. His Paolo Nani Theater, founded in 1995, has toured 42 countries.

Time: 3 p.m., Oct. 4

Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1(Tang Li)