By Cherry Thein

 

The Htwe Oo troupe is performing six shows daily at Asia Plaza Hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Road in Yangon.

THE Htwe Oo Myanmar traditional marionette troupe last week resumed regularly scheduled live performances for the peak tourist season, said troupe leader U Khin Maung Htwe.

 

Six shows are being held daily, from 1pm to 6pm, at Asia Plaza Hotel’s Ruby Hall in Yangon.

 

“Each show lasts about 45 minutes. We are making them relatively short to maintain the interest of the audience,” U Khin Maung Htwe said.

 

“We plan to perform with a live traditional orchestra (saing waing) because it is more appealing than recorded music. I want the audience to enjoy the full experience of seeing a marionette show with an orchestra.”

 

The entry fee for the shows is K5000 for foreigners and K2000 for locals. Students from government schools get a K1000 discount.

 

“It is difficult for the troupe to continue playing when the puppeteers are discouraged by the low numbers of spectators,” U Khin Maung Htwe said. “But the most important thing for me is maintain the traditional marionette theatre and encourage the artists to continue their profession.”

 

Htwe Oo Myanmar had been scheduled to perform at the International Folk Art Festival in Yangju, South Korea, from September 25 to 28. However, this year’s edition of the annual event was cancelled over fears about the spread of (A)H1N1.

 

Mr Sohn Jun Chaeck, the organiser of the Yangju festival, said Htwe Oo Myanmar would be invited to attend next year’s event, scheduled to be held from September 30 to October 3.