Fujian Stars Sparkle on a Miniature Stage

FUJIAN STARS SPARKLE ON A MINIATURE STAGE JoHumphrey The Yueh Lung Shadow Theatre Fantastic! Incredible! ~larvelous! And a whole list of other like superlatives are uttered oy audiences leaving the theatre after their first encounter with the Fujian Hand Puppet 'fheatre. As an avid sinophile and student, of Chinese perfornling arts, I was particularly anxious to observe the first puppet troupe, coming out of l'-'1ainland China to perform in th.e USA for Jllan)t decades. The Fuj ian Hand Puppet Theatre is a relatively new troupe and I knew the effects of recent history in the People's kepublic of Qlina might be seen. Entering; the auditoriuJu, the first obvious change is t,he puppet stage. The beautifully carved and gilded stages of the past apparently now reside in hluseUlilS and private collections around the world. The traditional stage once used by these Fujian puppeteers was destroyed during the Cultural Kevolution. The new· stage has a beige velour draped prosceniuIll with· an opening 4 feet by 8 feet. The playboard, about sb feet high, is above the heads of the puppeteers. CYJubals, gongs and drUJilS signal the star.t of the sho\v. As the curtains part, a realistic setting of a shiall Chinese inn appears. The set is Ii t wi th slnall spot lights which are capable of creating special effects. Gone are the three openings at the rear of the stage where the puppets used ::'0 Inake their entrances and exi ts. Any anxiety I IHight have had about hlodernization of the whole tradition\vas quickly dispelled by the entrance of the first character. lvalking with the SCUile stylized gait as human Chinese opera actors and dressed in a traditional robe and ~1at 140 FUJIAN STARSSPARKLE ONA MINIATURE STAGE Jo Humphrey' The Yueh Lung Shadow Theatre Fantastic! lncredible! Marvelous! And a whole list of other like superlatives are uttered oy audiences leaving the theatre after their first encounter with the Fujian Hand Puppet 'L'heatre. As an avid sinophile and student, of Chinese performing arts, 1 was particularly anxious to observe the first puppet troupe coming out of Mainland China to perform in the USA for wany decades. The Fuj ian Hand Puppet Theatre is a relatively new troupe and I knew the effects of recent history in the People's kepuiJlic of China might be seen. Entering the auditorium, the first obvious change is t.,he puppet, stage. The beautifully carved and gilded stages of the past apparently now reside in 111Useu1,1sand private collections around the world. The traditional stage once used by these Fujian puppeteers was destroyed during the Cultural Kevolution. The new stage has a beige velour draped proscenium with an opening 4 feet by 8 feet. The playboard, about Sb feet high, is above the heads of the puppeteers. Cy1Hbals, gongs and drtrnis signal the start of the show. As the curtains part, a reali~tic setting of a small Chinese inn appears. The set is lit with small spot lights which are capable of creating special effects. Gone are the three openings at the rear of the stage where the puppets used to make their entrances and exits. Any anxiety I might have had about 1,wdernization of the whole tradition was quickly dispelled by the entrance of the first character. \valking with the sarne stylized gait as human Chinese opera actors and dressed in a traditional robe and hat. 140 141 a 12 inch scholar recites his opening lines. From that moment, the audience is captured conlpletely. As "the evening progresses, gasps of surprise and rounds of applause indicate overwhe1lninb approval. Fortunately advance publicity alerted people that Chinese puppetry is priluarily f aJnily entertaiIlJHe"nt, ainled at the older folks. The four plays or scenes frOtH longer plays, are all based on the classical literature of China. Interpretatio~of the stories vary with individual troupes as is the case with all oral traditions. Northern and Southern Fujian styles of perforuling have been nlelded into a new fortH utilizing ~iandarin dialogue. Music and dialogue were recorded for this tour as it was too expensive to bring the full orchestra of Illusicians. A libretto is supplied, but lrruly there is...