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TAIWAN FUN MAGAZINE, July 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 7

Chang Yi Fang Classical Puppet Art B1, 245, DunHua S. Rd., Sec. 1 (02) 2775-5977 Hours: 11 am-10 pm

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    At first it seems unlikely that the owner, Chen Chung-ping, with her polished looks and vibrant laugh, could be involved in the traditional art of puppet theater. However, it is in her blood. Coming from a long line of puppeteers in the Changhua area, she has been involved in making classical puppets for more than a decade, driven by a desire to push this emblematic culture of Taiwan onto the global stage. Puppet characters are divided into six categories--young men, female roles, heavy roles, clowns, deities, and goblins--to make it easier for the audience to follow. Over the years, despite social changes, Chang Yi Fang still insists on sculpting the puppets and doing the embroidery by hand. Because they are handmade, each puppet is one of a kind; even same-role puppets made by the same sculptor will differ slightly. Each of the puppets is a witness to the long history of traditional puppet theater: A visit to Chang Yi Fang Classical Puppet Art might just bring back childhood memories of watching puppet plays.