![]() ![]() ![]() These were ancient dramas or cartoons, and they were even colorized for added entertainment by using colored translucent figurines. With added music and sound effects, the performances could be quite entertaining if they were well executed. The lamp illuminated the screen from behind, and people could move little figurines around for theatrical performances. Things like people, animals, furniture, pagodas, walls and plants were shown on the screen by placing figurines or figures made of cardboard or leather in front of the lamp. Simple to perform, dramas were played out on screens or walls for thousands of years to entertain and instruct, and shadow theater is still performed in China.Ī simple lamp and a thin screen was all that was needed for a stage. Shadow shows were once a popular form of entertainment, and they were also used for religious and instructional purposes. Shadow Puppet TheaterĪt a time when there was no flat-screen TV, people entertained themselves in the evening with shadow puppet theater. Rod puppetry is still a little popular in China. The hand rods may be attached to the performer’s wrists or elbows. The head of the puppet is usually hollow and is carved from wood, and the performers can move the eyes and mouth. One rod is attached to the puppet’s head. Performers used to wear special traditional theatric robes with big sleeves so that the rods were somewhat hidden, but modern performers tend to let their hands and rods show. The puppets may be small or even life-size. Rod PuppetryĬhinese rod puppets are puppets that are manipulated by three rods as shown in the picture. Marionette performances or other types of puppet theater were often outside of temples or shrines and used for instruction of religion. There were religious aspects to Chinese marionette plays, and there might still be to some extent. In the West, the audiences usually expect the performers to be hidden. Chinese marionette plays are mostly performed in the open air without a curtain to conceal the puppeteers, unlike the common practice in the West, and spectators can see both the performances and the performers from the three sides of the stage. Marionettes were usually carved from pieces of wood, and the assembled parts are hung on strings. Marionettes on strings or wire like the old time Pinocchio or as in the picture to the right were once popular in the China before the advent of motion pictures. Four Forms of Chinese Puppet Theater Marionette Theater The Chinese puppet theaters come in four forms: marionettes on strings or wires, rod puppets, shadow plays, and hand manipulated glove-type puppets. There were several forms of puppet theater in China. At the end of each busy day, the emperor went into his garden, eager to visit his shadow wife and hear her stories once again.Puppet performances of various types were popular in China. But it seemed as if the shadow was telling the story, as if his wife was spending time with him. The priest told a story she used to tell, one of the emperor's favorites. As the priest moved the puppet behind the curtain, he told wonderful stories of the emperor's wife. It was the dancing shadow that drew his eyes. ![]() The emperor did not even notice the curtain at first. He placed his candle, his puppet, and himself behind the curtain. He placed the curtain near the emperor's chair. When the puppet was finished, the priest slipped into the emperor's garden, carrying his puppet, a candle, and a curtain. He painted the puppet to look somewhat like the emperor's wife. The priest made a puppet out of bits of clay. What if he could bring those stories to life? He knew the stories the emperor's wife used to tell. The dolls made dancing shadows on the wall of the city. One day, a priest passed some children playing with their dolls. They were afraid that another clan might hear that their emperor had become weak. He spent more and more time in his garden, and less and less time caring for the needs of his people.Įveryone in the kingdom was worried. Sadly, one day, the emperor's wife became ill and died.Įveryone thought the emperor would soon find another favorite among his wives, but the emperor was very sad. She told the best stories! She was married to the emperor. Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was woman in one of the many kingdoms that made up ancient China. ![]()
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