Nominated for five major awards at the 34th Traditional Arts Golden Melody Awards, this production has moved audiences with its poignant legend and emotional depth. The story follows Jiang Yi-quan, who accidentally falls into Luhori Ditch and encounters water ghosts. Seeking to clear their notorious reputation for “dragging others to take their place,” the ghosts invite a puppet troupe to perform. As gongs and drums echo through the night, the performance unfolds like reflections on water. Watching the puppets reenact their own stories, the ghosts gradually reveal the attachments and longings that transcend the boundary between life and death. Based on a Chiayi folk legend, the work delicately portrays a world where human loyalty and spiritual compassion intertwine.

Adapted from the Taiwanese Folk Literature Collection by Li Hsien-chang, this work draws on the origins of Lunar New Year traditions in Taiwan. Legend tells of the Lamp Monkey (a candlestick, pronounced teng-kau in Taiwanese), which faithfully provides light on household altars all year round yet is often neglected. Feeling unappreciated, it appeals to the Jade Emperor, accusing the people of ingratitude. In response, the Emperor decides to punish them by sinking the island of Taiwan into the sea on New Year’s Eve. The story vividly connects to traditional customs—family reunion dinners, red envelopes, and the symbolic meanings of the first three days of the New Year—offering both entertainment and educational insight.

The Innocents

Rooted in the chivalric tradition of glove puppetry, this work is set in a fictional dynasty and employs rich metaphor to evoke reflection on one’s homeland. Through shifting contrasts between illusion and reality, warmth and tension, and the integration of contemporary sound art, The Innocents breaks beyond the conventional framework of traditional puppetry, revealing new artistic and narrative possibilities. From the seemingly futile fate of revolutionaries emerges a quiet affirmation of chivalric spirit. Within the theatrical space, sound art creates a parallel world that resonates with humanity’s enduring pursuit of freedom and longing for peace.