THE WEDDING OF THE MICE TAIYUAN PUPPET THEATRE COMPANY - Taiwan
Schedule: 20th to 22nd May 2010 – 9.30pm
For audiences over: M/6Time: 45 min.Language: Mandarin with English subtitlesTechnique: Mixed
A perfect puppet show that fuses Eastern and Western art. An old lady relives an episode from her childhood, an incident of magic and adventure. As a girl, she mistakenly enters the house of a mouse and becomes acquainted with a pair of mice who are lovers, Ah Lang and Zhen Zhu. She learns that they may be separated because Zhen Zhu’s father is determined to find her a husband according to the mice custom of throwing an embroidered ball. The girl sympathizes with the pair of lovers and uses her wit to help them become husband and wife. Based on a Taiwanese folktale in which mice get married on the third day of the Chinese New Year and households retire early that night, leaving food such as salt, rice and cake crumbs at corners for the newlyweds, “The Wedding of the Mice” is a heartwarming tale of love and humanity. The tale is presented through a charming combination of traditional Chinese rod and Western glove puppetry. Original music performed on Western string instruments is paired with traditional Taiwanese folk song, enhancing the unusual juxtaposition of different cultural art forms.
Artistic director and direction: Robin Ruizendaal Production: Paul Lin Composer: Li Che Yi Actress: Wu Shan Shan Puppeteers: Lai Shi-na, Massimo Godoli Peli, Chang Sheng-po e Chan Yushu Musicians: Lee Che-yi e Chang Shi-neng Scenography: Zhan Yu Shu
Ciclo: FIMFA LX10 – International Festival of Puppetry and Animated Forms