By - 3 Mar 2011
"Against a simple yet colourful backdrop of bamboo curtain and red velvet cloths, a light drizzle descends on us as we are transported back a thousand years."
Reviewed by Adey Ramsel, 3 Mar 2011
Read
this review on Theatreview.org.nz
"The world famous Thang Long Water Puppet Troupe of Hanoi
entertains us with story telling in its basic and simplest
format. Six puppeteers stand waist deep in a pool of
shimmering green water, masked by a curtain. With a creative but
again simple system of strings and pulleys, they have full control
and mastery of a range of puppets as they display their beautiful
folk art.
Formed originally to celebrate the end of the rice harvest and
religious festivals in the paddy fields of Northern Vietnam, the
art now depicts daily activities in Vietnamese life, important
historical events and ancient legends.
The puppets themselves are a colourful mix of dragons, phoenix,
fishermen, fish, frogs, humans, lions and snakes. Carved with
exquisite care and beauty, each one given five layers of lacquer
paint to protect them from the water, the puppets are a show in
themselves, and I craved to see more of the intricate
detail. Rich, deep and intense the colours work well against
the green pool and the fading light of the evening.
The puppet masters' presence is forgotten as we watch these
animals and humans act out their rituals. It's nice to see the
children in the audience squeal with delight in watching something
that is pure story telling - no monitor, no buttons, loud bangs,
explosions or violence. We are treated to slapstick, romance,
dance, ritualistic synchronised routines that draw us in and amaze
us when we remember that they are mere puppets being operated from
behind a curtain.
The agility of each puppet is so precise that you can marvel at
each action - the swimming children, arm over arm, is particularly
impressive. The absence of any visible string system only
increases the wonder and awe, and led me to wonder at the arm
strength needed by those puppeteers to operate them from beneath
the water at a distance of a good metre behind.
These 6 masters - who along with 6 musicians that accompany each
story with their own blend of traditional song and music, have
delighted each and everyone one of us - finally emerge for their
curtain call. (A nod of respect here to the musicians for
performing a version of 'Pokarekare Ana' on their traditional
instruments as a pre-curtain raiser.)
This is a magical event, over all too quickly but something to
share with the whole family. A unique theatrical tradition
from a culture that truly values its history."
_______________________________
Auckland Arts Festival 2011
Vietnamese Water Puppets
Thang Long Troupe (Vietnam)
at Garden Theatre, Aotea Square, Auckland
Until 20 Mar 2011