REVIEW: Here Comes Gudong - Engaging, Fun, Imaginative

Hot off its 2025 Keep It Fringe award, Roarrr Theatre debuts its fantastical, cross-cultural adventure Here Comes Gudong! Following the quest to find the mysterious “gudong” sound, this enchanting puppet theatre production draws inspiration from Chinese shadow puppetry and ancient mythology. Led by a curious monkey, a clever fox, and a wise old turtle, the audience embarks on a magical journey through forests, oceans, and clouds. The “sound box” becomes a key narrative device, linking each chapter of the story. But what exactly is “gudong”?

The craftsmanship of the puppets is impressive. Operated by Mary Emma He, Aidan Harris, Sunny Jie Liu, and Mingyu Ding, the various animal characters come to life in vivid detail, aided by an evocative soundscape and projected animations. One of the absolute comedic highlights is the appearance of the ambulance snail as an unexpected and delightful surprise. The use of animation smooths the transitions between scenes and props, making the flow of the story feel seamless.

The performers deliver exaggerated, expressive performances. A standout moment is when the monkey (performed by Mary Emma He) rows across the sea, truly believing in the world they were building. From trekking through the jungle to the fox’s house, and finally meeting the wise turtle, the main story arc is clear. However, some of the shorter episodes feel compressed, possibly due to the limited runtime. I found myself wishing the three characters had met earlier to allow more time for their joint adventure.

Without a doubt, the music and sound design by Mingyu Ding are the show’s strongest elements. From the very beginning, the soundscape provides atmospheric cues that paint vivid images of the jungle and its creatures. Beautiful melodies carry the audience through the journey. The sound box contains a variety of unique sounds, but its narrative potential isn’t fully explored. Due to the Fringe venue limitations, the choice of lavalier microphones slightly impacted the experience. Frequent contact with the performers’ costumes caused noticeable noise and sometimes made it difficult to hear their lines clearly.

Overall, Here Comes Gudong! is a thoughtfully crafted sonic adventure infused with Eastern cultural elements, an experience that offers something for both children and adults. With a larger venue and more production support, this show has the potential to become an even more fantastical journey.

★★★★

This show is going to perform at Lyric Hammersmith on the 4th of October 2025. For more information, please visit: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/here-comes-gudong/

©️Portia Yuran Li, Roarrr Theatre

Credits

Writer, Director, Producer: Portia Yuran Li
Movement Director & Music Director & Sound Designer: Mingyu Ding
Production & Set Designer: Effie Yuan Gu
Puppetry Designer & Maker: Jessica Wenjing Ji
Puppetry Maker Assistant: Yunchu Chiu
Video Designer: Inini Xinyi Yin
Prop Designer: Yuxin Lin
Production and Marketing Liaison: Mary Emma He

Cast and Puppeteer: Mary Emma He
Cast and Puppeteer: Aidan Harris
Cast and Puppeteer: Sunny Jie Liu
Cast and Puppeteer: Mingyu Ding

Stage Manager: Elaine Li Quan
Voice Coach: Jun Yang
Video Operator: Inini Xinyi Yin
Lighting Operator: Zhiyun Ren
Sound Operator: Katia Qi Shi

About Roarrr Theatre
Founded in 2023, Roarrr Theatre specialises in original, mythology-infused productions and drama therapy-inspired workshops for children and families. With over 400 families having joined the Gudong journey to date, the company is redefining what family theatre can be—transforming it into a shared space of imagination, healing, and cross-cultural connection.

©️Portia Yuran Li, Roarrr Theatre