Taiwan’s Double & Cross Theater Group bring a sweet start to the day with this intriguing, lo-fi kids’ show. Advertised for threes and up, two-year-olds were mesmerised by the performers’ slithering snake and flapping bird actions. Origami kitchen-towel gifts helped relax a few shy guys, too. Peaceful birdsong chirped as the dancers elegantly roly-polied around and threw their limbs into angular shapes, acting out Chinese characters for a brief writing and vocabulary lesson. 

A traditional Taiwanese song about sheltering under an umbrella with a friend brings to mind the gentle charm of Studio Ghibli’s classic My Neighbor Totoro. Line-by-line translation gives an introduction to Chinese language, using actions, stickers and drawing materials to help everyone get onboard. While glow-in-the-dark pens may have got stage fright in one drawing bit, the performers and some simple props carry things along with simple, enchanting storytelling.

World In A Word, Summerhall, until 27 August, 9.45am.