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Gallant puppets cross swords in classic tale

Puppet Master Liao Wen-ho with two characters from his up-coming performance of The Master Swordsman. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIAO WEN-HO PUPPET TROUPE

Time-honored Chinese puppet theater takes center stage at Taipei's Red House Theater (紅樓劇場) on Wednesday, when the Yunlin based Liao Wen-ho Puppet theater (廖文和布袋戲團) brings its adaptation of the classic tale of heroics and swordplay, The Master Swordsman (天下第一劍), to the popular traditional arts venue.

Established in 1976 by puppeteer Liao Wen-ho (廖文和), the troupe has not only built up a strong reputation amongst Taiwan's puppet theater devotees, but has also represented the nation at traditional arts festivals abroad, most recently appearing in Korea as part of the 11th Seoul Festival of Theater and Imagery.

In keeping with the almost 2,000 year old tradition of puppet theater, the Liao Wen-ho troupe consists predominantly of members of the same family, which to date includes three generations of the Liao clan.

While the troupe has a long list of adaptations of classical Chinese tales of chivalry and valor to its name the group's upcoming show is, Liao says, one of his favorites.

Made popular in recent years through Hong Kong comic books, The Master Swordsman is set in a time long ago when evil reigned supreme. The plot follows the adventures of Da Yong-hsia, (大勇俠) and his attempts to dethrone and slay the wicked emperor, Tien Mo (天魔) -- a chap whose mercilessness and greed for gold has turned his kingdom into chaos.

Of course, our hero's task is not an easy one. He must first prove to the master of the sword, Chang Yin (張引) and his son, the treacherous and evil-minded Wei Tien-peng (魏天鵬), that he is worthy of becoming a master swordsman. And one who can truly to wield Chang's fabled sword with the prowess and gallantry such a task demands.

Liao is keeping tightlipped as to what fans of traditional puppet theater can expect and whether good or evil will prevail next Wednesday and only lets on that his troupe's up-coming adaptation of The Master Swordsman will be a "big show with action, suspense, high drama and plenty of plot twists in order to keep the audience on the edge of its seats."

The Master Swordsman (天下第一劍) will play at the Red House Theater (紅樓劇場) at 10pm on Wednesday, June 11. The theater is located at 10 Chengtu Road, Taipei (台北市成都路10號). Tickets cost NT$200 and are available via ERA ticketing outlets or directly from the venue.
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