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William Fetz/East-West Center
Ornate, colorful puppets are part of the Burmese show.

Mandalay
marionette masters
mesmerize

Color and artistry of
this Burmese tradition
is back in fine form

---

By Cynthia Oi
Star-Bulletin

Like non-native plants crowding out indigenous species, television and movies almost caused the extinction of a prized branch of Burma's culture.

Between the end of World War II and the late 1980s, modern media choked the art of Burmese puppetry, which can be traced back at least as early as the 15th century.

So it is with pride and exuberance that the Mandalay Marionette Puppet Theatre presents its work on stages around Europe and the United States, according to Michael Schuster, folk arts coordinator with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

The troupe will perform this weekend at the East-West Center, which is one of the organizations involved in the tour.

William Feltz/East-West Center
Puppeteers, usually hidden from the audience, will be
visible at the Mandalay Marionette Puppet Theatre
show this weekend.

Schuster, an EWC alumni who studied Asian theater at the University of Hawaii, said Burmese puppetry has always "reinvented itself for the changing needs of its audience." But it has remained a colorful, elaborate presentation.

"It is a gorgeous, charming tradition," Schuster said. "So delightful, unique."

Each 2-foot-high puppet is manipulated by up to 12 strings and is clothed in elaborate costumes. The eight-member troupe includes a singer and live music with cymbals, drums, gongs and an oboe-like wind instrument.

Although screens usually hide puppeteers, the performances here will allow the audience to see them at work, Schuster said.

The program will consist of dances and excerpts from traditional Burmese stories. The structure of the programs includes humorous scenes that allow puppeteers to improvise, he said.

Daw Ma Ma Naing directs the Myanmar-based company. It features master puppeteer U Pan Aye, who is credited for the recent re-emergence of the art form, he said.

On stage What: Mandalay Marionette Puppet Theatre When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday Where: Imin Center, Jefferson Hall, East-West Center Tickets: $10 general, $8 students, seniors at UH Campus Center Box Office, or by phone, 944-7177

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