Quanzhou Puppet Art Troupe

　　But today's generation of puppeteers are as good, or better. And they are continuing to perfect their craft to create utterly breathtaking puppets and performances.

　　Modern stages are deeper, allowing the puppets greater freedom of movement, and allowing the use of different types of puppets simultaneously.

　　However, the Quanzhou Puppet Art Troupe has gone through its difficulties in past decades.

　　Being the playwright of a number of awarding winning puppet plays, Wang has undertaken reforms, cutting one fifth of the troupe members to around 50. "Every member here is highly professional in puppetry," Wang said.

　　But what makes the troupe survive, he explained, is the increasing overseas and commercial performances.

　　The big turn came in October 1993, when the troupe was invited to Taiwan for its first commercial show. "We made 300,000 yuan (US$36,000) or so," says Wang holding up three fingers in this right hand to emphasize the large sum.

　　But the one time success did not ensure a more lucrative market. International commercial performances were not on the agenda as standards and the art community was still below par in China in the early 1990s. With no agents to count on, Wang tried to contact overseas Chinese unions, foreign institutions to China or any relations available. Sending pamphlets, publications and making phone calls were the only way to do it.

But Wang was determined. And his work started to pay off. More invitations came in the following years.

　　The lightened face and the cheering applause from the audience shed light on the seemingly bleak folk art, and on the same disheartened puppet performers.

　　The Quanzhou Puppet Troupe gained financial independence gradually. It has won awards home and abroad, presenting this traditional Chinese folk art to overseas audience in more than 60 countries and regions. In March 2004, during the China-France Year, their marionette shows fascinated people in Paris, Cannes and Lille. Dozens of puppeteers manipulated the puppets while singing to the accompaniment of a full Chinese orchestra.