Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures (shadow puppets) which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim. The cut-out shapes of the puppets sometimes include translucent color or other types of detailing. Various effects can be achieved by moving both the puppets and the light source. A skilled puppeteer can make the figures appear to walk, dance, fight, nod and laugh.
There are four different types of performances in shadow play: the actors using their bodies as shadows, puppets where the actors hold them as shadows in the daytime, spatial viewing, and viewing the shadows from both sides of the screen.[1]
Shadow play is popular in various cultures, among both children and adults in many countries around the world. More than 20 countries are known to have shadow show troupes. Shadow play is an old tradition and is listed as a Syrian intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.[2] It also has a long history in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. It has been an ancient art and a living folk tradition in China, India, Iran and Nepal. It is also known in Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Germany, France, and the United States.[3][4][5][6]
- ^ Özcan, Oğuzhan (July 2002). "Cultures, the Traditional Shadow Play, and Interactive Media Design". Design Issues. 18 (3): 18–26. doi:10.1162/074793602320223262. ISSN 0747-9360.
- ^ "UNESCO - Shadow play". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
orr69was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Beth Osnes (2001). Acting: An International Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-87436-795-9.
- ^ Beth Osnes (2010). The Shadow Puppet Theatre of Malaysia: A Study of Wayang Kulit with Performance Scripts and Puppet Designs. McFarland. pp. 61–63. ISBN 978-0-7864-5792-2.
- ^ "UNESCO - Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 13.COM 10.A.7". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2019-12-17.