Characteristics of the leather And the puppet show is considered a unique identity that only
exists in Thailand. Not like other nations. Not only focusing on the movement style of the
characters. but also emphasizing the beauty caused by posing leather back to the light.
that seems to move emotionally according to the story along with the dubbing,
dialogue, lyric, and Piphat band. Can make the audience understand the story and
get a taste of beauty in many ways inside at the same time before the show.
Must perform the ceremony before every time. Then show a short episode to
tell audience that they about to perform shadow puppet right next to this show.
And puppet show is telling about Ramayana story in Thai version.
Elements in puppet performance
1. Theater
display
Performance can show where ever you want.
can be in a field, theater or hall but need to
have enough space for display and other equipment.
Also actor and people who asossiation with the
show.
Display is a really important element in the show.
Made by white fabric. Not to thick not to thin. When the light comes in fabric. You be able to
see puppet clearly. At the
bottomof display. They use thick
fabric to stretch. Average
size of display is about
13-15 maters.
lighting
Lightingis behind the stage or display. in a period ther will burnt dry coconut
peel on top of scaffolding for fire. But in a present day it's more safety and easier
if they use 2-3 spotlight. This light isn't
as beautiful as natural light. But it won't had smoke and smut that made fabric dirty.
2. People who perform in the show
puppeteer
Puppeteer will wear a red clothes. and sashes. In a present day Khanon
temple's puppet performance group
had their own outfits. Because in the
perform puppet is a object that doesn't
move. only actor controling the puppet.
So, puppeteer is a main element in a performance. Perform by use posing, dancing, acting along
with puppet leather. To make puppet and performance lively. Puppeteer need to acting along.
man that prepare puppet
Nai Nang or man who prepare puppet leather need
to know sequence in every scene. Know entire story.
He will prepare puppet for actor behind a display.
Which puppet that use next and already use it won't
ิbe mixed up. He will lean puppet leather beside stage
one by one. If Nai Nang not has enough experiene may
ruin a performance.
voice actor
Normally, voice actor in perform should have
2-4 person. And they should professional about
telling story, talk to audience and plot. Remember
all of plot and story line. Like to sing and
entertaining people. And also know about
music. Their voice need to be lound and
powerful. Good at speaking and pronounce words.
3. Instrument
instrument while perform puppet show
Music that use in performance. Always be Phi pat
band. Had 5 instrument. or the original five It consists of xylophone, xylophone, xylophone, gong wong, klong thad, taphon, which are used in many songs. and will play as appropriate for the story. Start to play music
and do ceremony follow the step. Play it proper
along a story. Many songs such as Na pat song, Satugan song, Groundnai song,
Groundnok song and Cherd song. Phi pat band will stay beside of display about 4 meters.
Wait for signal and ordered from voice actor. Which seqeunce play what song. Music and story need to go along together. But in this present day Phi pat band will stay close to display. For better quality and comfort the audience. Use speaker and sound
effect for better sound.
4. Performance and ceremony
Before start to perform puppet show. They
need to follwer the step. By set the ceremony
and do the workship. They believe that the
ceremony will help them to do better performance.
By put 3 puppet in front of area. Put the holy
puppet leather behind the screen by installing
it on the screen pillar and showing short
stories such as catching a monkey in the
evening, Bong Tan stabs the tiger. which consists of Bai Sri Pak Cham, pork, chicken, ordination spices, ripe bananas, liquor, a pair of cigarettes, holy water, Thanasarn and Phan Kru, a gift of 12 baht (benefits of the Nang Yai Faculty).
sacrifice
prelude
After finished ceremony and workship. They
will perform a short episode to tell audience that
they about to perform shadow puppet right next
to this show. The episode that Khanon temple
always perform 'Catch money at dark' plot
is funny and entertaining audience. By this
short perform its a good signal to tell audience that they about to perform the show.
'Catch money at dark' also telling funny story and teaching moral. When this show
end. Phi phat band wil start to play instrument. And prepare other equipment for perform.
While a short episode is performing. Nai Nang that stay behide the display will prepare a puppet. Musician will play ground nai song. In the past, full 1 episode will perform about 2-3 hour. Called 'Tub'. If its short episode might perform 2-3 episode in 1 night. In a present day Khanon temple manage a time that spend in 1 perform to be shorter.
1 episode is about 1 hour. Perform about Ramayana. And offen perform "Hanuman offer ring".
story telling
