Life of Guangzhou - Traditional Puppet Show with Its Modern Future

Guangdong Puppet Troupe celebrating its golden jubilee
[Guangzhou Daily]

"Di Nv Hua (Princess Chang Ping)"
[Guangzhou Daily]

Guangdong Puppet Troupe's golden jubilee ceremony was held at the Guangzhou Puppet Art Center on Sep.8th. A special fraternity award was presented to local artist and cartoonist Liao Bingxiong(1915-2006), another member of the Puppet Troupe, to commemorate his contribution to the field. Liao Bingxiong died on Sep. 22nd.

"Legend of the Five Rams"
[Guangzhou Daily]

History of the Puppet Troupe: 50 glorious years

The Guangdong Puppet Troupe was established on April 1, 1956 and over the past 50 years, over 300 original works have been produced, including mythical, traditional, modern and children's puppet shows.

The troupe has earned its reputation with many awards over the past five decades. In 1960, the puppet show "The Monkey King Steals the Banana Leaf Fan" won a silver medal in the Second International Puppet Festival in Romania. "Nezha Roars in the Sea" won the award for excellence at the National Puppet and Shadow Play competition in 1981. Others such as “The Monkey King Thrice Beats the White Bone Demon," and "The Legend of the Arrow," have won awards across the country.

[Guangzhou Daily]

Works: Innovation Never Stops

In the year 1957, the first color puppet film "Hibiscus Fairy" was introduced to mainland China, a collaboration between the Guangdong Puppet Troupe and the Great Wall Studio of Hong Kong. Xian Weiqin, a member of the troupe in those years said "at that time, most of the shows were about myths. 'Hibiscus Fairy' was the most popular of them and since we did that, our troupe has become famous around the country."

Starting with mythical puppet shows, the troupe has produced many other adorable performances such as the puppet Cantonese Opera "Di Nv Hua (Princess Chang Ping)", the dance "Long Feng Cheng Xiang (Happiness of the Dragon and Phoenix )," the fable "Lang Lai Le (Here Come the Wolves)" and many more. These days, puppet shows featuring life-sized characters are winning applause from children.

Moreover, Guangdong Puppet Troupe had collaborated with China Central Television(CCTV)to create "Que Tuo Xue Xiao (24-hour School)" and "Kui Hua Zhen (Sunflower Town)."

"The Emperor's New Clothes"
[Guangzhou Daily]

"Hibiscus Fairy"
[Guangzhou Daily]

Tradition handed down from one generation to another

Xian Weiqin and his wife Yuan Zhan are senior members of the troupe; known affectionately as "Uncle Xian" and "Aunt Zhan".

Aunt Zhan is about 80 years old and has worked in the troupe since it was established in 1956. She's taken part in well-known mythical shows such as "Hibiscus Fairy", "The Monkey King steals the Banana Leaf Fan."

Uncle Xian joined the troupe in the same year as his wife. He recalled the old days; "at that time puppet shows were popular in west Guangdong province; most of the performers were farmers who played just for fun. The troupe's first leader, Mr. Lin Kun, made huge efforts to build it up."

"Nezha Roars in The Sea"
[Guangzhou Daily]

"The Monkey King Steals The Banana Leaf Fan"
[Guangzhou Daily]

Development: Looking forward to the future, combining traditional and modern

More than ten years of innovation has pushed the Puppet Troupe towards greater heights, and given the shows a much stronger Lin'nan (southern China) style.

Uncle Xian says there are many more types of puppet today, than when he first started. With both traditional and modern styles, combining influences from east and west, Guangdong's Puppet Troupe looks set to become even more attractive to audiences.

(Translated by Liu Qiuping and Proofread by David Kellaway)