The guilds’ founder, Dao Dang Khiem, died in 1732 and while the other three guilds gradually declined, Dao Thuc water puppetry guild, still exists until today. In 1705 when King Le Hy Tong abdicated and King Le Du Tong took the throne, Khiem gave up his post and returned to his hometown in Tu Son district, Kinh Bac region (now Thuy Lam commune, Dong Anh district) where he set up four guilds which were specialized in literacy teaching, martial arts training, mortar making and water puppetry performance. In 1687, at the age of 33, he was appointed to the rank of third-level mandarin by King Le Hy Tong. The village’s historical documents revealed that the founder of the Dao Thuc water puppet village was Dao Dang Khiem, who was born in 1654 under the name of Nguyen Dang Vinh. The theatre is modern and usually shows 17 short sketches over a one-hour performance.Located in Thuy Lam commune of Dong Anh district on the outskirt of Hanoi, Dao Thuc water puppet village, formerly known as Dao Xa water puppetry guild, is an interesting place for tourists in the capital city where they can enjoy water puppet shows of various themes, ranging from village life and folk tales to national heroes. It is also advisable to pay more to get closer to the action as the theatre seats a few hundred people and the puppets are not that big. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hanoi with tickets selling out well in advance so it’s worth booking yours as soon as you arrive in town. The live music plays an integral part of the show with singers often shouting words of encouragement to the puppets. Most shows also feature the famous Legend of the Restored Sword of King Le which tells the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant tortoise. Today’s performances usually include a number of short sketches rather than one long story, taking the audience on a journey of ancient village life, agricultural harvests and dances of mythical creatures. The renowned Thang Long Water Puppet show is considered to be one of the cultural highlights of Northern Vietnam dating back to a tradition that first started in the Red River Delta. The puppets are controlled by no more than eight puppeteers hiding behind a bamboo screen. Shows at this modern theatre are performed in a pool of water as the stage for the puppets. Most of the shows recount Vietnamese folk tales and legends with topics including the celebration of the rice harvest depicted in a humorous fashion. There are also authentic Vietnamese operatic songs telling the story that is being acted out by the puppets. Performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music using drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes and cymbals. This tradition is unique to North Vietnam but has recently found fame on stages all over the world so it’s a rare treat to see the puppets perform in their original location at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Using large rods to support the puppets it appeared as if they were moving across the water with the puppeteers hidden behind a screen. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water. The world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi has its roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th century.
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