The Epic World Of Puppet Theater

A DRAGON EMERGES from a foggy lake.

- Ada Roman

A monkey army helps a prince rescue the princess. A knight in gold armor battles a giant. People have gathered to watch these scenes for thousands of years, long before movies or special effects. How? With puppets!

Puppets have long been used to tell myths, legends, and epics that would be hard for human actors to perform on stage. Here are some of the traditional puppet shows you can still see around the world today.

Wayang Kulit, Indonesia

Wayang kulit means shadow puppets. These flat puppets are cut out of leather with intricate holes for light to shine through. The audience watches shadows cast on a lit screen. Want to get a better look? Viewers are allowed to peek behind the sheet and watch the puppet master work.

If you’re watching a wayang kulit show, prepare to stay up late. Shows start at sunset and last until dawn. People know the legends they’re based on so well, they take breaks to eat and sleep, then come right back to watch more.