Jul 29, 2016 - used to belong to Xin Sia Le, a. Fujian troupe that came to. Singapore in the 1930s. It is elaborately ca
Pre-show Resource Primary & Secondary
Journey to the West: Treasures from the Dragon Palace By The Finger Players (Singapore) Commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay with support from the National Arts Council 25 – 29 Jul 2016 Mon – Fri Esplanade Theatre Studio
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You will be watching Journey to the West: Treasures from the Dragon Palace at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
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About Journey to the West: Treasures from the Dragon Palace Adapted from a classical Chinese epic, Journey to the West: Treasures from the Dragon Palace is the story of Sun Wukong the Monkey King, his master Xuanzang, and his friend Pigsy. Through puppetry, follow the powerful but rebellious Monkey King as he goes on a quest around the world and the Heavens to hunt down the perfect weapon to fend off evil.
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About the Artist
The Finger Players is a puppet theatre troupe that combines traditional and modern forms of puppetry with other theatre forms. No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Watch Video 1
Video 2
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video.
After watching both videos, can you explain what puppetry is? What are some things both forms of puppetry have in common? No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
What is Puppetry? • Puppetry is a form of theatre or performance that involves the manipulation of puppets. • It is very ancient. It is believed to have originated 3, 000 years BC. That is more than 5, 000 years ago! • Puppetry can take many forms but they all share the process of animating (to move) inanimate (lifeless) performing objects. • The person who brings a puppet to life is called a puppeteer. No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Journey to the West • Have you heard of Journey to the West before?
• Do you know who the main characters in Journey to the West are?
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Journey to the West • Chinese novel published in the 16th century • Was believed to have been written by Wu Cheng'en, a Chinese novelist • It is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature • The story is filled with magic, demons, gods and adventures No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Journey to the West • It is a story about the legendary journey of the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk, Xuanzang • He travelled to the Western Regions (Central Asia and India) to obtain Buddhist sacred texts • He is accompanied by three disciples who were his companions during the journey. No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Characters in Journey to the West
Xuanzang, the Buddhist Monk also known as Tang Sanzang
Sun Wukong also known as The Monkey King
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Characters in Journey to the West
Zhu Bajie also known as Pigsy
Sha Wujing also known as Sandy
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Think about it! • What is a hero? Do you have a favourite superhero? • Tell your partner a little about your favourite superhero: - Name
- Super abilities - What do you like about the superhero?
- What qualities would a superhero have?
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Which of the four characters in Journey to the West is this?
If you have heard of this character before, share with the class a few things you might know about him. No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Sun Wukong - An Ancient Superhero! • A mythical character • Has lots of special and magical powers • Appears as a main character in the 16th century Chinese classical novel Journey to the West
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Watch Sun Wukong in Action! • Who are the other monkeys to Sun Wukong? What do they do?
• What are some of Sun Wukong’s abilities? List a few.
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video. Play video from 2m27s - 5m13s only.
• Where do you think he will go to look for a new weapon? What do you think happens next? • What kind of weapon do you think will be strong enough for the Monkey King?
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During the Performance… • Are your predictions of where Sun Wukong will go and what his weapon of choice is correct? • What are the obstacles that Sun Wukong faces? • What are his positive and negative traits? • What makes him a hero?
• What lesson can you learn from Sun Wukong? • What is a traditional Chinese glove puppet? • How can you manipulate a glove puppet?
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Audience Etiquette • Shhh! Being a considerate audience means that you give your full attention to the performers. So no talking while a performance is going on!
• Beep Beep! Switch off your mobile phone. The noise and light are going to be a distraction to others around you! • NOm NOm! Do not eat or drink in the auditorium. Satisfy your hungry tummy before or after the show. • Clap clap! Love what you’ve watched? Show your appreciation by applauding at the end of the performance! No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co Ltd.
Post-show Resource Primary & Secondary
Journey to the West: Treasures from the Dragon Palace By The Finger Players (Singapore) Commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay with support from the National Arts Council 25 – 29 Jul 2016 Mon – Fri Esplanade Theatre Studio
No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co Ltd.
Recall & Reflect From Activity 5: Reflection • Sun Wukong may be a hero with special abilities but he also possesses some undesirable qualities. List some of these qualities. • What lesson did you learn from Sun Wukong? • If you could create your own superhero, what qualities would you give it?
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Think about It! • Name the different forms of puppetry you saw during the performance. • Share one thing you enjoy / did not enjoy about puppetry. • Share one new thing you learn about puppetry. • What are the different parts that make up a puppetry performance? (Hint: Other than the puppets, what else can you find in a puppetry performance?)
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Think about It!
What other parts make up a puppetry performance?
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The Different Parts Costume Puppeteer
Puppet
Set
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The Different Parts
The stage No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Traditional Glove Puppet Stage
Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore collection
This is a traditional Chinese glove puppet stage. Make a guess: - How many light bulbs light up this stage? - How tall and wide do you think this stage is? - How long do you think it takes an experienced troupe to dismantle or assemble the stage? No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Traditional Glove Puppet Stage This glove puppet theatre stage used to belong to Xin Sia Le, a Fujian troupe that came to Singapore in the 1930s. It is elaborately carved and decorated with gold and brilliant colours. This stage is typical of the Chinese glove puppet theatres that audiences would encounter in mid 20th century Singapore. It was used in many of their street performances.
More than 1,000 light bulbs light up the stage.
The stage can be set up or taken apart within an hour.
1.9 metres
4.4 metres
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Puppetry from around the World Let’s find out more about different forms of puppetry from different parts of the world. As you watch the videos, think about the following: 1. Where do you think the puppets come from (e.g. Region/Country)? 2. How do puppeteers control the puppets?
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Let’s Watch
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video.
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1. At least a thousand years old. 2. Usually deer skin and goat hides are used, as they can be made transparent. 3. Leather absorbs different colors and can last for centuries. 4. Used for entertainment. 5. Also used for rituals e.g. to provide good harvest or to celebrate the birthdays of the gods.
Leather puppets of Ravana and Hanuman, characters in the Hindu epic of Ramayana
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Image credit: Ekabishek via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Puppets_of_Andhra_Pradesh#/media/File:Hanuman_and_Ravana_in _Tholu_Bommalata,_the_shadow_puppet_tradition_of_Andhra_Pradesh,_India.JPG CC BY-SA 3.0
Leather Puppets from India
Let’s Watch
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video.
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1. Marionettes were created before the 13th century but the exact year of origin is unknown. 2. Became popular in Sicily, Italy in the 13th century. 3. Puppets are controlled from above using wires or strings. 4. Bodies of puppets are usually made of wood. 5. Now, there are a many varieties of marionettes.
A small theatre with marionettes
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Image credit: Alessandroga80 via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marionette#/media/File:Marionette_Theatre.jpg CC BY-SA 3.0
Marionettes
Let’s Watch
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video.
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1. Bunraku is the common name for ningyo-joyuri which means puppets and storytelling. 2. It is a form of rod puppetry. 3. Was created in1684 in Osaka, Japan. 4. Usually requires three puppeteers: a) The main puppeteer uses his or her right hand to control the right hand of the puppet and the head. b) The left puppeteer controls the left hand using a rod that extends from the elbow of the puppet. c) A third puppeteer operates the feet and legs.
Image credit: Boonrock via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku#/media/File:Osonowiki.jpg CC- BY-SA 3.0
Bunraku Puppets from Japan
A bunraku puppet called Osono, from the play Hade Sugata Onna Maiginu
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Let’s Watch
*Connect to the internet and click on image to play video.
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Vietnamese Water Puppets 1. First performed a thousand years ago on the surface of ponds and paddy fields in Vietnam's Red River Delta. 2. Performed in chest or waistdeep water. 3. Water surface acts as a stage. 4. Puppeteers stand behind a curtain 5. Water helps to hide the rod and strings. 6. It also provides exciting water effects like waves and splashes.
Puppets of water fairies dancing
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Extension Activity 1 Draw a Comic
Read the story of a local superhero, Badang from PIP’s World: http://bit.ly/29NFBax Turn the story into a comic!
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Extension Activity 2 Puppetry Around the World Find out more about other forms of puppetry around the world that have not been covered yet. You can create a video and upload it onto social media or make a poster that can be displayed on your class notice board. No part of this material may be reproduced in any other form without permission from The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
