puppets

Puppets are movable figures manipulated by a puppeteer to perform stories or entertain audiences. They can be worked by hands, strings, or rods, and are used on stages, in television, in street performances, and in film. Puppetry appears in many cultures and has served roles in ritual, education, entertainment, and political commentary.

There are several major types. Marionettes are string-controlled puppets operated from above by a system of cords and bars. Hand puppets are worn on the hand and guided by the operator's fingers. Rod puppets use rods at the ends of limbs, while shadow puppets are flat figures held in front of a backlit screen to create silhouettes. In some traditions, ventriloquist's dummies function as voice-actors rather than independent performers.

Regional forms include Bunraku in Japan, with large puppets operated by three puppeteers; Wayang kulit in Indonesia, a shadow-puppet tradition using intricately carved leather figures; and Punch and Judy, a popular English street show featuring glove puppets. Puppetry is also integral to many other theater traditions around the world.

History and development: Puppetry likely predates modern theatre and appears in various ancient cultures. Through the medieval and early modern periods, puppet shows toured cities and courts in Europe and Asia. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the consolidation of professional troupes and the expansion of puppet theatre into television, cinema, and touring productions.

Materials and technique: Puppets are made from wood, cloth, leather, papier-mâché, foam, or latex, chosen for appearance and movement. Building and manipulating puppets require craftsmanship in carving, sewing, painting, and rigging, while performances demand timing, sync, and voice work. Contemporary puppetry also embraces animation techniques, digital effects, and educational uses.