Puppets can string us along

Sino-French production aims to demonstrate the universal appeal of the art form with a show that pulls out all of the stops, Chen Nan reports.

Theatergoers to the contemporary puppet show, Star Fish, will be taken on a whimsical journey through this creative collaboration between artists from China and France.

Inspired by the delightful 2018 novel by Zhou Xiaofeng, its story takes place in the depths of the ocean where two stars, who are twin brothers, tumble into the human world, kicking off an adventure that blends cultural charm with theatrical magic.

"I was deeply touched by the novel when I read it for the first time, though it's written for children. Steeped in the ocean's mysteries, it paints a picture of the brotherhood between the two stars as they navigate the complexities of human existence in the big blue ocean," says the show's producer Han Chi. "It's a tale that resonates with themes of unity, discovery and courage, weaving a narrative tapestry that captures the imagination and stirs the soul of both children and adults."