And very wet. Water puppetry is performed in a chest-deep pool of water, with the water's surface as a stage. The puppeteers stand behind a curtained backdrop. Water puppets bring wry humor to scenes of farming, fishing, festival events such as buffalo fights, and children's games of marbles and coin-toss. Besides village life, scenes include legends and national history.
Lion dogs romp like puppies while dragons exhale smoke and shoot sprays of water at the audience.
Performances of up to 18 short scenes are usually introduced by a pig-tailed bumpkin known as Teu, and accompanied by a small folk orchestra. Over the last decade, this ancient art has been rescued from near oblivion. Now there are four troupes in Hanoi. The Thang Long troupe will be touring United States this October, starting in San Francisco. Performances will take place in a specially constructed theatre on Pier 45, with five shows a day from October 11 to 15.