Puppetry is a very ancient form of entertainment and artistic expression that has been a part of cultures around the world for centuries.
Puppets work in a large variety of techniques, from simple finger puppetry to intricate supermarionation, puppetry has evolved into a diverse and captivating art form that, instead of being left behind, has evolved into newer forms to stay relevant.
Though today, it is largely considered a niche interest, or at best, simple kids’ entertainment, puppetry has independently occurred in most human societies for anything from performance theater to religious rituals.
The roots of puppetry can be traced as far back as 4,000 years ago, and is thought to have even pre-dated actors in theater. In ancient Egypt, intricate puppets made from clay, wood and ivory used in religious ceremonies were discovered in tombs, while colorful shadow puppetry is known to have flourished in China and Central Asia during the first millennium BCE.
Entertainment
Ancient Greece and Rome embraced puppetry as a form of entertainment, with string puppets made of wood and leather depicting major Ancient Greek epics like the Iliad and the Odyssey, and enjoyed by those of all social classes.
Puppetry experienced resurgence during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, used by the Christian Church for morality plays. Marionettes, controlled by strings or wires, are known to have originated from Italy during this period, the name itself having been derived from the puppet depicting Virgin Mary.
Puppet shows would come to commonly depict plays such as Shakespeare’s works instead of actors, as well as more slapstick crude ‘Punch and Judy’ like shows becoming popular forms of entertainment across Europe especially among the common people.
Notably, the Italian theatre tradition, known as Commedia dell’arte, gained prominence during this period from this sort of entertainment, which would in turn go on to inspire modern theatre and circus shows.
Asian cultures are among the oldest to have embraced puppetry as an art form. In India, puppetry was an integral part of storytelling traditions, with a diverse range of puppetry techniques passed down to modern day, such as string puppets, shadow puppets, and glove puppets.
The Japanese Bunraku are an old, globally renowned art form that utilizes extremely complex puppets that require up to 3 puppeteers to control just one character. And the Indonesian Wayang, and wayang kulit are highly revered forms of puppetry influenced by India’s puppet traditions. Vietnam developed its own traditional technique of Water Puppetry wherein puppets would perform above a pool of water, with the supporting rods and complex controlling strings hidden beneath the surface.
Advancement
The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed significant advancements in puppetry, and developed alongside TV and cinema. Unlike most modern perceptions, puppetry was still considered high art and adult entertainment. Pioneers of the contemporary arts such as Sergei Obraztsov, Edward, Gordon Craig, and Tadeusz Kantor developed theatrical concepts inspired by puppetry that are used to this day.
In the early 20th century, the renowned puppeteer Jim Henson revolutionized puppetry with his creation of the Muppets, bringing puppetry into the mainstream and captivating audiences around the world with shows such as Sesame Street and the Muppet Show.
Unfortunately, once Jim Henson’s muppets dominated puppet media, puppets began to mostly be associated with children’s media and edutainment, in spite of Henson’s desperate efforts to prove otherwise. Puppet shows have adapted to modern times, embracing new technologies and incorporating innovative techniques. Animatronic puppets, equipped with mechanical and electronic mechanisms, bring a lifelike quality to puppetry. Digital puppetry combines puppetry with computer-generated imagery, offering a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements.
Puppet shows have also expanded their reach through film and television, captivating audiences of all ages. Though they are far from the mainstream today, puppet media has continued to develop, evolve, and conserve the traditions from long ago.