About the troupe

Founded in Penang in 2022 by fourth-generation Teochew iron-rod puppetry inheritor Ling Goh, Iron Gang Puppet Theatre is Malaysia’s first contemporary troupe dedicated to exploring the aesthetics and theatrical language of Teochew iron-rod puppetry. Originating in Chaozhou, China, and evolving from paper-shadow theatre, this distinctive form carries a rich cultural history but now faces a period of decline. Drawing on Goh’s family lineage, the troupe re-examines the movement, visual form, symbolism, and storytelling of iron-rod puppetry, exploring creative possibilities beyond traditional ritual performance. Iron Gang develops contemporary works through experimentation while nurturing a new generation of puppeteers. It brings inherited techniques into dialogue with contemporary themes, theatrical approaches and diverse audiences, allowing the traditional form to evolve while retaining its cultural roots. By treating transmission as an ongoing process of creation, training, and performance, the troupe seeks to develop a contemporary language for iron-rod puppetry and carry its living spirit into the future.