Puppetry coming out of the shadows

In the new show, the live band has been substituted by recordings with largely improved sound effects, while effects and props like huge flames, cloud-shaped screens and bright stage lights have been introduced to appeal to younger audience with more modern tastes in entertainment.

According to Hu, most of the audience are young people. "They enjoy it and can catch the 'old wit' in the show."

In Happiness of the King of Hell, the protagonist entertains the King of Hell by singing operas and, as a result, gets a longer life.

Liu Jiawei, a 12-year-old audience member, says: "The man is brave and calm, while singing operas to please the King of Hell. You never know when your expertise will help you."

For Wei, dedicated to making shadow puppet plays known and liked, he saw new hope.

"After the modern redesign, the show will reach out to a bigger audience, particularly the young. They are the future of the ancient art," says the optimistic artist.

Apart from performing, the 58-year-old also gives lectures promoting shadow puppet plays at local primary and middle schools.

Born to a local shadow puppetry family, Wei picked up the art as a teenager. With his own experience, he has seen the ups and downs of the art, and believes that with the engagement of young audiences and the artists' continuous efforts to produce modern adaptations, the traditional entertainment format will prosper again.