MANDALAY PUPPET THEATRE

Twenty-eight puppets representing human beings, mythological figures, spirits and animals; a little orchestra of traditional instruments played live by six musicians; dancers; story tellers and singers. These are the fundamental elements which give life to the Burmese puppet theatre, a very ancient art which dates back to the 15th century and which the Mandalay Theatre has now brought to life again.

Ma Ma Naing and Naing Yee Mar, two Burmese researchers have discovered two old master puppeteers, U Oan Aye (70 years) and U Mya Thwin (82 years), keepers of the secret of the art of marionette construction which requires ability in wood carving, painting, sewing costumes and stringing.

The high degree of technical skill and the perfection of execution reached by the artists over the centuries made the Marionette Theatre so popular and appreciated at the royal courts of Burma in 19th century that it was held in higher esteem than the “human theatre”. It cannot be considered just an entertainment since it represented a means of communication and education in Burmese literature, history and religion as well as in the traditions and customs of this people.

The Theatre in Mandalay, ancient capital of Burma and today artistic and cultural centre, is trying to keep this national art alive.
14 artists create the show: puppeteers, musicians, singers and dancers. Following the ancient tradition, the show is staged on a simple raised platform with interchangeable decorated back clothes. Puppeteers are visible from head to waist and the orchestra (cymbals, drums, brass and bronze gongs, bamboo clappers and shawms) plays traditional instruments while sitting in front of the audience.

As in its traditional form, the show begins with the mythological creation of the world and the animals; it proceeds with the establishment of the Kingdom and the human beings. In the second part of the performance, a jataka is enacted, one of the 547 stories about the past lives of the Buddha. Each jataka symbolizes a specific virtue such as honesty, wisdom, love of a son for his parents, etc. These stories feature kings, princes and princesses, hermits and wise men who undergo all kinds of adventures. A happy end is mandatory: virtue is rewarded and evil is punished.
 

PRODUCTION DATES
Planning Tour In Europe Next Season

 

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