Javanese Shadow Puppet Show - Wayang Kulit

See the shadows fly across the screen in the hands of Joko Susilo, internationally renowned dhalang (puppet master) who has toured and performed widely in Asia, Australia, Europe. He will perform the story "Gathutkaca Sungging" (in English), a tale from the traditional Indian epic, the Mahabharata. The leather puppets are of extraordinary beauty – not only delicately carved, making exquisite shadows, but also painted brilliantly so it is just as rewarding to watch the show from the puppeteer’s side of the screen as the shadow side.

Watch as Joko makes the puppets do flips, fight battles, go on journeys, enact love scenes. Clowns also crack jokes, do silly dances and sing silly songs on screen.

The show will be accompanied by live music from Gamelan Padhang Moncar (a traditional Javanese percussion orchestra based in Wellington), directed by Joko himself, using signals from his hands and feet by knocking or clashing metal plates on a box.

Dr Joko Susilo is an 8th generation shadow puppet master from Java, Indonesia. Now resident in Dunedin, he is fluent in English and presents his show mostly in English, although you will hear ancient Javanese language in many of the songs.

The shows will be part of the bustling Southeast Asian Night Market on the waterfront at Frank Kitts Park from 4pm to 10pm. Eat from one of the many food stalls while you watch in this informal setting.

Fun entertainment for adults and children. Raindate: Sunday 17 April

Kindly supported by the Asia NZ Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.

Event listed by GPM

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