Performance: Two Tales of Tricksters from Southeast Asia

The Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University is pleased to present the performance Two Tales of Tricksters from Southeast Asia by Caroline Borderies and Christian Barthod on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM in the Theatre ($10.00 General and $5.00 Students/Seniors Free (Kids 12 and under) and the workshop, Trick or Treat: Shadow Puppet Making on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 1:30-3:30 pm in the Chapel ($10.00 General and $5.00 Students/Seniors / Free (Kids 12 and under).

French colonizers and travelers first encountered shadow puppetry in the eighteenth century and brought it to Europe under the name ombres chinoises (literally “Chinese shadows,” though the French mainly imitated Indonesian, Thai, and Burmese styles). These ombres chinoises were particularly popular in England and France from the eighteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. Puppet masters Caroline Borderies and Christian Barthod interpret classical Asian folk tales with their own distinctive French flair with performance of Two Tales: Xieng Mieng Stories where quick wits and a sly sense of humor challenge the king, and The Adventures of Sang Kancil the Mouse-Deer where cleverness and intelligence triumph over big, mean-spirited animals. This world-class puppetry performance will be a delight for kids and adults alike.

Acclaimed French puppetry artists Caroline Borderies and Christian Barthod present an introduction to the colorful mechanics, techniques, and history of shadow puppetry, preparing them for a deeper appreciation of the performance to follow. Workshop participants will make puppets in the shape of traditional Halloween figures such as witches, cats, ghosts, and bats, as well as other scary characters celebrated in Asia.

About the Charles B. Wang Center

Central to the Charles B. Wang Center’s mission is the encouragement of an ever-deeper understanding and enjoyment of Asian and Asian American arts and culture by diverse local, national and international audiences through public programs. These programs include exhibitions, films, lectures, workshops, performances, and educational discussions. For more information on cultural programs visit www.thewangcenter.org. Visiting Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 8:00 pm.