Introduction to Puppet Theater

Puppetry is a kind of local traditional theater.

In ancient times, it was called "staff puppet", which is a wooden staff to manipulate the action to complete, it is hollow inside, the eyes and mouth can be movable, and a section of wooden rods or bamboo poles are attached to the bottom of the neck, and the performer grasps the two manipulative rods with one hand for the performance, and thus it is also known as "lifting puppets". Therefore, it is also called "lifting puppet". In terms of the type of rod puppet, there are three kinds of large, medium and small, distributed in different regions, each with its own characteristics.

The puppet theater was introduced to Guiping City in the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi by the Beiliu puppeteer He Xii and his son He Xushan, and has developed six generations of puppeteers, with the Li and Wen schools. It has covered all townships in the city, and the performance venues are mostly set up in the cultural stations of the townships. The staff puppet theater mainly sings ancient historical themes, historical stories and historical figures, such as "Wu Sung Fighting Tiger", "Xue Ding Shan" and "The Legend of Yue Fei".

After 1964, began transplanting, adapting, creating a modern content reflecting the puppet theater, such as "Stone Dare Dang", "South China Sea Great Wall", etc., the form of its expression is to make their own puppets, utensils, props, a single person to operate the puppets for the performance of the singing, improvisation of the story to play the performance, has now become a "belly play" into a scripted performance. Scripted performances.

Puppetry Characteristics

One of the characteristics of puppetry is that it has a profound meaning. They are not just works of art, but convey a wisdom and philosophical idea. Each puppet has its own story and specific symbolism that can convey positive values and attitudes towards life.

Whether expressing friendliness, bravery, honesty, or encouraging people to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles, each puppet carries an inspiring message from which people can draw strength and inspiration. Another striking feature is the diversity of the staff puppets. They can take on a variety of different appearances and forms.

From heroic figures in theater performances with strong traditional colors to trendy looks with a modern fashion sense, both folk art and contemporary creations can find a puppet image that suits them. This diversity not only gives the puppets a unique personality, but also provides the audience with a wider choice and appreciation space.