Nine Years Theatre Returns with New Mandarin Children’s Production The Forest Heroes This September

Nine Years Theatre (NYT) is set to return with a brand-new Mandarin theatre production for young audiences, The Forest Heroes, which will run from 11 to 27 September 2026 at the Drama Centre Black Box in the National Library Building. Following the success of Phinny & Wally in 2024 and Phinny & Wally: Echoes of Home in 2025, this marks the company’s third consecutive original children’s production aimed at nurturing an appreciation for Mandarin language theatre among young audiences.

Recommended for children aged five and above, The Forest Heroes combines music, puppetry, imaginative play and audience participation to bring families into a vibrant Southeast Asian forest. Performed entirely in Mandarin, the production follows the story of Ying, a young girl who befriends a lost baby elephant named Fu. Together, they embark on a journey that explores friendship, courage and personal growth while encouraging audiences to reflect on the relationship between humans and nature.

The story begins with an unexpected encounter when a baby elephant appears at a village. While many villagers see the animal as a threat to their crops and livelihoods, Ying views it as a friend in need of help. Through her growing bond with Fu, the production presents the challenges faced by both humans and wildlife as shrinking forests continue to blur the boundaries between their worlds.

Rather than portraying a simple conflict between right and wrong, The Forest Heroes encourages children and adults to understand the perspectives of different forms of life and consider how humans and nature can coexist. The production explores environmental themes through an engaging story that is both entertaining and thought provoking.

The experience extends beyond the stage with interactive elements designed to immerse audiences in the adventure. Before each performance, children and their families will participate in a pre-show activity held in the theatre foyer, where they will be introduced to the environmental themes featured in the story. The session also shares practical ways children can care for the environment through everyday actions such as conserving resources, reducing waste and protecting trees.

Audience participation continues throughout the performance as children are invited to help the characters overcome challenges and protect the forest together. By actively participating in the story, young audiences experience the importance of teamwork while learning that caring for the environment begins with small actions that anyone can take.

The Forest Heroes will be staged at the Drama Centre Black Box from 11 to 27 September 2026. Performances are scheduled from Tuesday through Sunday, with weekday morning shows also available for school group bookings.

Standard tickets are priced at S$38 for Tuesday to Friday performances and S$42 for Saturday and Sunday shows, excluding BookMyShow booking fees. Family packages for four people are also available, alongside discounts for 9 Grid Givers, NYT 9 Fan Members, HomeTeamNS members, Kinokuniya Privilege Card holders, PAssion Card holders and SAFRA members.

The production runs for approximately 55 minutes, including the pre-show activity. It is recommended for children aged five and above, although admission is open to children aged three and above. Every attendee requires a ticket, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Patrons are also welcome to leave and return to their seats during the performance if needed, making the production accessible for younger audiences and families.