Puppet show (Wenchang doll show)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: puppet show

Applicant: Wenchang City, Hainan Province

Item No.: 236

Project No.: Ⅳ - 92

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Hainan Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Wenchang City, Hainan Province

Protection unit: Wenchang Cultural Center

Brief introduction of puppet show (Wenchang doll show)

Applicant: Wenchang City, Hainan Province

Wenchang puppet opera, also known as "puppet opera", is a kind of opera art with Hainan local characteristics.

In the Yuan Dynasty, there was a hand-held wooden troupe in Hainan, commonly known as "puppet opera". The head of the puppet (Idol) used for performance was about 40 cm, carved with wood. The upper body was woven with rattan and bamboo shoulders, the two hands were carved with wood, the lower body was covered with robes and skirts, and the boots and shoes were used instead of feet. For easy manipulation, stick or cane is inserted into the body of the couple. The stage is about ten feet wide and covered with cloth curtains. Performers sing behind the scenes and manipulate their idols to perform in front of the screen. Idols include Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo, Chou, Buddha, Nuwa, Hailong king, Madonna, Leigong, leipo, tiger, fairy and more than 20 kinds of images. Their performances include gesture swing, bowing, foot stamping, sleeve brushing, kneeling horse, rolling, eyes turning, mouth opening and closing, hands grasping and more than 10 kinds of programs, which can be flexibly used according to the needs of the plot. The singing style of doll opera comes from brother operas and Hainan local folk tunes. There are more than 30 kinds of tunes commonly used, such as Zhongban, Gaoqiang, Chengtu, Xiaoqu, etc. there are more than 500 kinds of performances, such as the battle of Wucheng, Luobu Tiaojing, etc.

Wenchang puppet opera is an immortal treasure of folk art. It integrates literature, art, music and drama. It has been popular in Hainan for four or five hundred years and has many research values, such as art and folk custom.