Post-Punk Puppetry: Shadow Puppets Accompany Residence A at Mao Live

Dazzling light setups are an onstage staple for countless musicians these days, while even bigger acts rattle outdoor arenas with thunderous fireworks. But one of Beijing’s best bands is taking a far subtler approach at Mao Livehouse this weekend, incorporating visuals that are more than a little traditional. On Saturday (Jan 30) Residence A, the capital’s premium post punk troop, will pair its gleaming riffs and famed onstage energy with the gently ethereal, aged Chinese art form of shadow puppetry.  

That combination of Eastern and Western performance styles may seem disparate to some, but Residence A vocalist and guitarist Gou Zhaozhao says it was a natural fit for he and his bandmates. “I believe all kinds of art are connected, it doesn't matter if it’s modern or ancient,” he says. “Mixing the two can only make things more interesting."

Those paper cutouts will be brought to life by none other than Wang Rong Dao, the founder of Beijing Rong Shadow Puppet Theatrical Company. He was first enchanted by this aged art form in 1995. At the time he was studying in Kyoto, Japan, and saw the Beijing Shadow Puppet Company (BSPC) perform Journey to the West during their world tour. “That was the first time I was ever completely impressed by my mother country’s ancient culture,” he says. Upon his return to Beijing in 2001, he set out to track down some of those performers, eventually connecting with former BSPC executive director, and the sixth generation puppeteer, Master Lu Lianda. Wang says: “I was quite honored to become his student from then on.”

In early 2013 Wang founded his own Rong Shadow Puppet Studio in Beijing’s Mao'er Hutong（帽儿胡同). Eventually it became the Rong Shadow Puppet Theatrical Company. His current collaboration with Residence A was precursored by a 2013 teaming with Chenianpo (车撵坡), a band that incorporates traditional Chinese opera into their alt-rock sound. Together they created an event called Rock the Chinese Shadow Play. 

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After catching one of Residence A’s notoriously energetic gigs, Wang was instantly inspired to work with them. “Zhaozhao caught my eyes and heart with his sincere voice,” Wang says, adding: “The band has moved me deeply.”

For this weekend’s show, he crafted two giant shadow figures – a Monkey Monster measuring 1.8 meters high, and a 2.2-meter-tall King Kong Monster. Residence A’s upbeat rhythms inspire Wang to make the puppets jostle their hips and strut about with a rock n’ roll frontman’s swagger. 

Wang enjoyed the project so thoroughly that he plans to bring his intricately designed, highly kinetic puppets onstage for numerous other bands. “I hope to collaborate with more young musicians from a variety of genres, so that more young people can get to know Chinese shadow puppets,” he says, adding: “I want them to know that puppets can rock out too.”

Residence A and Wang Rong Dao will perform at Mao Livehouse on January 30 at 9pm (doors open at 8.30pm). Tickets are RMB 150 at the door. 

Photos: Mao Live, Kam's Photo blog