Intro
The Soup of Reincarnation, inspired by three legendary heroines from Taiwanese folklore, explores their struggles against patriarchal oppression and and highlights their resilience.
In Buddhism and Taoism culture, Meng Po is a legendary figure. Every soul await reincarnation will have to meet her and drink up the reincarnation soup she offers. By forgetting memories of their previous lives, Meng Po ensures these souls are ready for rebirth. In traditional mythology, Meng Po is the manager of oblivion and gatekeeper of the underworld. Traditional Glove puppeteers’ work is similar to Meng Po’s mission. By changing suitable clothes and make-ups by the Traditional Glove puppeteers, one Traditional Glove Puppet can transform to into several characters in each shows again and again. This infinite loop symbolizes that the Traditional Glove puppets experience reincarnation as well.
Review
2018 Festival d'Avignon includes 1583 shows, and The Soup of Reincarnation was widely covered by media. Taiwanese traditional Glove Puppets drama was introduced to the world. Following are reports and reviews on The Soup of Reincarnation in Festival d'Avignon.
Le Figaro
“Festival OFF d'Avignon was deeply infatuated by vivid Taiwamese palmar drama ” The Soup of Reincarnation ingeniously integrates Taiwanese drama and western puppet theatre. The mythical power is still vivid in the mind, and every little story becomes extremely lively. ( Jean Talabot 2018.07.15)
l'Humanité
“Taiwanese Puppet theatre enchants audience” The Soup of Reincarnation presents a magical, surprising live performance that merges tradition and modern concepts. (G. R. 2018.07.23)
La Provence
“The Soup of Reincarnation. We adore.” Through the form of puppetry, The Happy Puppetry Company present to us a wonderful poetic journey to the Far East. (Johan Barthélémy 2018.07.14)
Theater website Musical in Europe & Tous les Théâtres: In addition to puppetry skill, “The Soup of Reincarnation: A traditional Taiwanese female story” also showcases another face of Taiwanese culture. (Régis Gayraud, 2018-08-23)
Theater website Théâtre Passion: Strongly recommended!! The Soup of Reincarnation is a religious guide, a philosophical treatise, and a family story! A wonderful discovery, and a different kind of puppet theater. (Anne Delaleu, 2018-07-23)
German theater website kulturnetz’s recommendation: “The Soup of Reincarnation is a very impressive performance from a different culture that always leads audiences audience to smile merrily and marvel in admiration. (2018-07-16)
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