Iron Gang Puppet Theatre’s debut manufacturing at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPac) this weekend is one which celebrates a traditional people story from the area and the values we maintain shut to our hearts. In this up to date iron-rod puppetry efficiency, titled Ibu, the story of Si Tanggang is given a recent interpretation.
The authentic story: After leaving his village and changing into wealthy and profitable, Si Tanggang is ashamed of his humble origins and on a visit again house, refuses to recognise his aged mom. Heartbroken, she curses him and when he units sail, he and his ship flip to stone.
“One of the themes of this story is filial piety, which is also at the core of Chinese tradition. Many of us were raised with a parenting style that has no shortage of ‘threats’. I have a lot of struggles with my culture, but at the same time, I find it impossible to deny my identity,” says theatre director Ling Tang, who wrote the script and directs this manufacturing.
“This is why Si Tanggang stands out to me, it evokes a complex feeling and I have so much to express and maybe even challenge. I can’t imagine a mother cursing her son out of anger. For me, this story is scary and cruel, but the imagination behind this tale is beautiful, not unlike an ancient Greek tragedy.”
In Iron Gang Puppet Theatre’s tackle this story, Si Tanggang is given extra of a voice than within the authentic model. We are supplied a glimpse into the experiences that form him, his motivations and the conflicts inside.
“We want to retell the story from a macro view and invite the audience to reflect on our values, culture and identity. I always strive to present a work not only to people with similar thoughts, but to reach out to those with different backgrounds and ideologies. After such a long and fruitful journey with Ibu, we can’t wait to share what we have discovered with the audience and look forward to their feedback,” she provides.
A brand new perspective
Ibu is a inventive endeavour that took the group two-and-a-half years to see to completion. This manufacturing is led by Penang’s famend fourth-generation Teochew iron-rod grasp puppeteer Ling Goh, the founder of Iron Gang Puppet Theatre, with Stephen Teoh as artwork director and dramaturg.
In Ibu, the 2 predominant iron-rod puppets are Tanggang and his mom, plus a puppet ensemble comprising a crow and a flock of birds, a dying fish, a snake and a durian. There can be a fish that seems as an phantasm, representing a younger soul with goals.
The Ibu puppet is 20-30% bigger than the standard model, with a mechanism on the neck to make the pinnacle actions extra versatile and vigorous. Photo: Lim Chai Lin and Thum Chia Chieh
Living performers will make an look too, together with Goh (as herself).
While a conventional Teochew iron-rod puppetry present is offered on a stage with a body, the troupe has determined to cast off this for this weekend’s present in Petaling Jaya.
“The interaction between living performers and puppets is powerful and beautiful. By removing the frame, it miraculously draws fantasy and reality closer to each other,” says Tang.
The primary mechanics of animating a conventional iron-rod puppet through the three iron rods connected is retained, however the look of the puppet has been tweaked for this present.
In place of the standard Chinese carving and colouring type is a extra practical face, palms and ft. The puppet is 20-30% bigger than the standard model, to make it simpler for the viewers to see the small print. The puppet’s neck is about up with a mechanism to make the pinnacle actions extra versatile and vigorous.
The Ibu puppet is made by puppetry artist Liang Mong-Han from Taiwan, whereas Tanggang and the opposite puppets and props are handmade by the Malaysian troupe.
‘Ibu’ will kick off with a ritual session that includes a sequence of auspicious scenes symbolising fortune, prosperity and longevity. The puppet seen right here is Emperor Tang Ming Huang of the Tang dynasty. Photo: Lim Chai Lin and Thum Chia Chieh
The manufacturing has multimedia stage projection mapping by multidisciplinary digital artist Abdul Shakir and reside music by five-piece band FAZZ, comprising Yonlynn (vocals), Aabid (woodwind), Grace (keyboard), Ayam Sorga (drum) and RFB (bass). FAZZ can be performing authentic items written for Ibu.
“For the past 10 years, FAZZ has constantly been exploring unique approaches in its musical expression. This includes our take on electro swing and alternative pop, using traditional jazz rhythm section, with electro beats and clarinet for a smoother touch.
“In Ibu, the audience can expect a fresh take on South-East Asian traditional elements merging with FAZZ’s musical expression. This ranges from emotionally-driven ballads to an intense hybrid of chaotic tensions. Also, dark humour.
“FAZZ will fuse the performance with Teochew drums, incorporating the influence of Teochew puppetry and opera in the show,” says RFB.
As is the norm for a conventional iron-rod puppetry efficiency, Ibu will kick off with a ritual session the place troupe members current a sequence of auspicious scenes symbolising fortune, prosperity and longevity, earlier than the efficiency correct.
Traditional artwork type
The origins of Teochew iron-rod puppetry will be traced again to two-dimensional shadow puppets made of dried leather-based strips and managed with three lengthy iron-rods connected to the arms and torso.
In the Qing dynasty, the display screen separating the viewers and the puppets had been eliminated and three-dimensional puppets got here on the scene, first original out of tight bundles of hay, then wooden and clay. The distinctive function of the iron-rods had been retained as the strategy of management, therefore their classification as iron-rod puppets.
Iron Gang Puppet Theatre’s debut manufacturing ‘Ibu’ is a recent interpretation of the Si Tanggang people story. Photo: Lim Chai Lin and Thum Chia Chieh
“The manipulation of iron-rod puppetry is challenging and the relationship between the iron-rod and puppet presents a delicate beauty. As the first-of-its-kind contemporary iron-rod puppetry performance, we wish to have more room to explore its possibilities and beauty in future,” says Tang.
To Goh, the sweetness of iron-rod puppetry shouldn’t be restricted to the puppets, it additionally contains language, music, stage presentation and styling.
“There are stories behind every evolution of iron-rod puppetry. To me, our move to contemporise iron-rod puppetry is beautiful as well,” she says.
Iron Gang Puppet Theatre, fashioned earlier this 12 months, is a recent iron-rod puppet troupe rooted within the aesthetics and symbolism of Teochew iron-rod puppetry. It goals to discover the probabilities of iron-rod puppetry revitalisation and to nurture new generations of puppeteers, bringing this conventional artwork type into the world of up to date theatre.
“Teochew iron-rod puppetry, once famous in Singapore and Malaysia, is declining with time. The Teochew puppetry has not evolved much since the past century. How could I bear to see it fading into an artifact? So, I decided to innovate it,” says Goh.
She concurs that there are challenges in making such improvements.
A rehearsal session for ‘Ibu’ at Teochew Puppet and Opera House in Penang. Photo: Lim Chai Lin and Thum Chia Chieh
“We relentlessly learn, explore and experiment boldly in an attempt to discover more possibilities. Meanwhile, we also ponder the connection between the Teochew traditional iron-rod puppetry and the contemporary world. We switch our mode of thinking and form of presentation, and try to view and narrate the story from more diverse perspectives.
“Bringing forward the beauty of the past era with a modern touch will help modern-day society to understand and appreciate the beauty of this traditional art form. Beauty should be timeless and able to travel across time. Ibu should be a bridge linking the contemporary and traditional worlds,” she says.
However, Goh cautions that if the whole lot evolves and adjustments in accordance to the wants of the current day, we’re at risk of shedding the essence of the artwork type. It is a tough factor to stability custom and modernity, however Iron Gang Puppet Theatre is decided to do it.
“Traditional art practitioners inherit the format and shape without developing it further. When the art form becomes static, people will lose interest. Innovation is definitely important for cultural sustainability. But there is often a huge gap between the traditional and contemporary.
“In order to engage a modern audience and reconnect them to the past, we have to present the value and beauty of the traditional art form. The past is where we come from. A generation without the past will be soulless,” concludes Tang.
Ibu is on at PJPac in 1Utama, Selangor on March 25 (8.30pm), March 26 (3pm, 8.30pm) and March 27 (3pm). Presented in Teochew, Bahasa Malaysia, English and Korean, with Chinese and English surtitles, it is a 90-minute present with out intermission, adopted by a post-show speak. Tickets vary between RM65 and RM200. More data here.
