No strings attached: Hainanese rod puppet performance at Mazu temple

I have read about Hainanese rod puppets but it was my first encounter with them yesterday at the Mazu temple located at Beach Road.


Venue: 47 Beach Road
Time: 2pm, 7.30pm (Day and night performances)
Troupe: Xin Xing Gang Qiongnan Theatrical Company (新兴港琼南剧社)

          A photo to keep your brain cells moving first: what exactly are these holes used for?

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Answer revealed: the thick rod used for holding the puppet (indicated by red arrow) will be placed in these holes in a scene when there are too many puppets for the puppeteers to handle

A better picture: if there are a number of puppets appearing on stage, they will be placed in these "holes"

It was definitely an eye-opener especially when you see puppets that were often likened to woodblocks but these puppets have the ability to move their eyes!