JOPLIN, Mo. —
While most Americans are familiar with the art of shadow puppetry, comparatively few are likely to have been exposed to the ancient art of Thai shadow puppetry, or Nang Talung.
“I was fortunate to discover that this form of puppet theater existed,” said Jim Lile, director and head of the theater department at Missouri Southern State University. “And that we could find this epic story by Sunthorn Phu, which was beloved in Thailand. There are several places where there are statues of these characters set up because they like these stories so well.”
The Missouri Southern Theatre Department will present “Phra Abhai Mani: A Thai Shadow Puppet Play” today and tomorrow in the Bud Walton Theatre.
Nang Talung originated in the southern part of Thailand around the 17th or 18th Century. Companies perform episodes taken from folk tales and the epic “Ramakien” or “Ramayana.”
The Southern production began as the focus of an independent study class. Students found a folk tale they adapted for a unique production.
“We studied the form, we read the novel, we selected the episodes that we wanted to dramatize,” Lile said. “The members of the class wrote the script, designed the puppets, built the puppets and are performing the puppets.”
Students augmented the script to make the show more relatable to an American audience, including their own touches and brand of humor.
“Not all of us are designers, not all of us are actors, not all of us are playwrights,” said Amber Julian, a senior theater major. “So this class gave us the opportunity to write dialogue, to design our own puppet, and there are four of us who are doing voice-overs. It gives all of us an opportunity to do each aspect of putting together a show.”
The project also offered a distinct way of studying Thai culture, which is the international theme at the university this semester.
“We learned so much about the culture, even just through the puppets,” said Taylor Haddad, freshman theater major. “We learned how they dress. We saw a dance video. We saw how they moved in performance. It was really interesting.”
While Haddad expressed some difficulty moving into such project as a freshman, she said that the experience has been enjoyable and educational.
“I think it’s just something that you wouldn’t expect,” Haddad said. “You’re being entertained by pieces of paper. You realize that in the beginning, but then you get involved with it, and then you forget that they’re just pieces of paper moving in front of a light. People get really entranced by it, even though they’re simple pieces of paper held with tape and string.”
While shadow puppetry is something of a novelty in the U.S., the people of Thailand take the age-old tradition very seriously.
“In the tradition of Nang Talung, it’s really very true that the character comes to life in the puppet,” Lile said. “So you treat the puppets with respect and care because effectively the person that you are representing is in that puppet.”
Lile said that the tradition is also full of superstition. Facing the theater west is said to invite negative spirits, so the screen for the performance was tilted northwest.
“I think our favorite (superstition) is if a rival company is performing anywhere in the neighborhood, your leader is obligated to say certain prayers to try and jinx their performance,” Lile said.
Want to go?
The Missouri Southern Theatre Department will present “Phra Abhai Mani: A Thai Shadow Puppet Play” at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday in the Bud Walton Theatre. Admission is free for MSSU students. Tickets cost $3 for adults and $1 for senior citizens. Details: 417-625-9393.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Chastity Hernandez (left to right), Ryan Odenbrett and Taylor Haddad operate shadow puppets as Abby Railsback (kneeling) awaits a cue. The students' puppets will be featured this weekend during "Phra Abhai Mani: A Thai Shadow Puppet Play." Globe | Zech Wheeler
Discussion
Theater students study folklore, design play with shadow puppets
- Lifestyles
-
-
'Market Lady' project offers tips for preparing local produce
What's better than a fresh, crisp, cool salad on a warm summer day? With all the delicious varieties of summer produce in season, making a fresh salad from locally grown produce is a summertime must.
-
Amanda Stone: Outcast veggies at farmers markets should be embraced
Bok choy, kohlrabi, pea shoots, mustard greens and even those adorable tiny carrots are rarely sold out. It's such a shame. Let's step out of our comfort zones and try something unfamiliar this week.
-
Cheryle Finley: Eats and drinks that beat the heat
I think the recent hot weather is really getting to some of us. I've already noticed grouchy and somewhat lethargic behavior from people who are usually chipper and energetic. What will we be like by August?
-
Craig Tally: God's story doesn't translate to screens well
While the "stories" can certainly be broadcast, the "Story" cannot. More is needed -- much more.
-
Roger McKinney: Touring Israel with Indian Christians is enlightening
Christians are a small minority of Indians, making up a little over 2 percent of the population. Even fewer are Protestant, which was the denomination of this group.
-
Frankie Meyer: Website offers digitized newspapers
Newspapers are a great source of info for genealogists. Obituaries are especially helpful, as are articles about major events that occurred in the areas where ancestors lived.
-
Phyllis Seesengood: 'Six Years' fast-paced, suspenseful
Harlan Coben is a superb suspense writer who has written an intense thriller/love story, although I personally think he should stick with the thrillers and leave the romances to romance writers.
-
Ryan Richardson: Appliances complicit in dog-hair problem
Despite missing having her here, her absence has given me an opportunity to clean up the small messes that have been accumulating since she has been gone. I've also given myself the opportunity to evaluate what has and has not worked in such a small living space.
-
Bearing down: Carl Junction woman has passion for bear hunting
Born and raised in Joplin, Mitchell graduated from Joplin High School in 1963. For 35 years, she has been self-employed as a real estate developer. Seventeen years ago, her husband, Steve, a bowhunter, introduced her to hunting.
-
Museums, history and eclectic culinary culture key to Kansas City’s appeal
I get to Kansas City a couple of times a year. That’s my bad. I wish I could go more often. Every time I do, however, I realize what the metro to the north has to offer, especially now that the Old Highway 71 is the new Interstate 49.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
