About the troupe

Founded in the 1960s by Mr Ang Kim Sai and his family, Sin Kim Hong Puppet Troupe carries forward a family tradition of Hokkien glove puppetry. Following Mr Ang’s passing, his wife, Madam Cheah Siew Luan (Aunty Kiao), inherited the troupe. Today, the third generation continues this lineage, with Calvin Ang serving as troupe leader. The troupe is distinguished by its collection of more than one hundred traditional glove puppets, props, and musical instruments, many of which have been preserved and actively used since the troupe’s establishment. Its repertoire includes more than one hundred stories, spanning family narratives, martial arts and battle scenes, and performances for temple and deity celebrations. Rooted in the tradition of Hokkien glove puppetry, the troupe also preserves Hokkien string puppetry, which is performed on request for temple occasions. Its performances bring together puppetry, Hokkien narration, music, and storytelling, with experienced puppeteers and musicians working in close coordination. Based in Penang, Sin Kim Hong performs throughout Malaysia, receiving annual invitations from temples and community organisations in Perak, Selangor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor. The troupe has also travelled to Indonesia and Taiwan for cultural exchange events. Through continued performance and cultural transmission, Sin Kim Hong remains committed to sustaining Hokkien puppetry as a living performing art and passing its traditions on to future generations.