Two days of performances, conversations and practical exchange, tracing how Asian puppet traditions endure, travel and transform.
Programme highlights
Roots and ResonanceMalaysia’s Multicultural “Buka Panggung” Showcase & Teochew Iron Rod Puppet Special
Registration required
9:00am–6:00pmPenang Institute
Malaysia’s multicultural “Buka Panggung” showcase and a special focus on Teochew iron rod puppetry.
- 9:00amOpening Performance: “Buka Panggung” by Malaysian Traditional Puppetry
- 10:00amOpening Ceremony
- 11:30amKeynote 1 by Dr. Tan Sooi Beng #Puppetry Heritage #Cultural Ecosystems #Community Mapping
- 1:00pmA Global Teochew Iron Rod Puppet Showcase and Dialogues Session I — Introduction to Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry
Session II — Cross-Regional Teochew Iron Rod Puppet Showcase
Session III — Panel Discussion: Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry
Session IV — Master Performance: Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry - 4:40pmRoundtable Discussion on Traditional Puppetry
Open session · Free and open to the public
8:00pm–11:00pmArmenian ParkDocumentary screening, traditional puppet battles and four puppetry performances.
Local Revival, Global VisionFrom Tradition to Contemporary
Registration required
9:00am–6:00pmPenang Institute
Contemporary approaches to traditional performance, from new stages and narratives to inventive puppet-making.
- 9:00amFeature Performance by Iron Gang Puppet Theatre
- 9:30amKeynote 2 by Anurupa Roy #Puppetry Innovation #Narrative Transmission #Tradition & Contemporary
- 10:45amRebooting the Body: Contemporary Practice of Traditional Performers
- 11:00amFrom Street Stage to Black Box Theatre
- 11:40amMaster Performance: Hobey Ford
- 1:30pmContemporary Puppeteers Showcase and Dialogues Session I — Introduction Performance by Contemporary Puppeteers
Session II — Panel Discussion: Metamorphosis and Impact - 3:20pmWorkshops Workshop I — Cheng Chia-yin: Object Devising & Storytelling
Workshop II — Erina Saji: Bunraku-style Puppet Manipulation
Workshop III — Hobey Ford: Rod Puppetry Mechanism and Improvisation - 5:30pmClosing
Open session · Free and open to the public
8:00pm–11:00pmArmenian ParkWhere Puppets Meet — traditional and contemporary puppeteers share the stage.
