POTEHI – Glove Puppet Theatre of Penang

The glove puppet theatre of East and Southeast Asia – known as potehi – is one of the oldest and best-loved performing arts traditions. This bilingual multimedia box set – containing a lavishly illustrated book, two charming flipbooks, a spectacular stage pop-up, attractive posters and a captivating performance DVD – presents a comprehensive account of the rich history and current practice of potehi in Penang, Malaysia.

Starting with an historical account of how glove puppet theatre came to Penang and its ritualistic roots, the authors trace every aspect of the heritage, principles and techniques of four present-day troupes: the performers, patrons and audiences; the rituals and celebrations; the anatomy of the stages and the puppets themselves; the stories, scripts and music; and the control and manipulation of the puppets.

Based on extensive research and observation, Potehi Glove Puppet Theatre of Penang brings to life the artistry of the magical world of puppets and puppet theatre – and passes it on to a new generation.