Puppets can string us along

"I love the novel, which is a beautiful story. The collaboration between artists from both countries unfolded as a celebration of artistic synergy," says the director, who is the founder of French theater company, the Studio Theatre de Stains. "We did a lot of experiments on puppets. We wanted to ensure that every movement and narrative thread was a harmonious blend of Chinese folklore and my theatrical knowledge and experience."

Nakache adds that Star Fish is more than mere entertainment, and that the performance resonates with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

"Puppets are not only for children but also for adults, and can create an imaginative experience that cannot be achieved in other theatrical productions without them," she says. "Puppets allow us to incorporate ideas that cannot be done by real actors."

It is not the first time that the two have worked together. In 2022, Han invited Nakache to work on another puppet show, Mending the Heavenly Metamorphosis, which was about the Chinese mythological female character Nyu Wa, who created humankind out of clay. The show premiered during the 2022 Beijing International Puppet Festival.

Since then, both artists have navigated cultural nuances and artistic intricacies, building an atmosphere of mutual respect and creative exchange. Through workshops, rehearsals, and shared artistic exploration, Nakache has overseen a production that embodies the spirit of international cooperation and artistic innovation.

"Though we speak different languages and have different ways of thinking, we achieved a shared goal, which made us very happy and proud," says Nakache.

With Star Fish, the artists will not only dazzle the audience with a visual spectacle and heartfelt storytelling, but will also demonstrate the power of cultural exchange through the arts, says Han.

"Nakache's direction underscores universal themes of empathy, discovery, and the beauty of diversity, inviting audiences to connect deeply with the characters and themes woven into the fabric of the puppet show," Han says. "As audiences immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Star Fish, they embark on a journey where imagination knows no limits, and where the beauty of storytelling unites hearts across continents."

Han was born and raised in Harbin in Heilongjiang province, and was introduced to traditional Chinese puppetry by her journalist father, who founded the HanFeizi Shadow Puppet Theatre in 1992.

"After interviewing the people behind a traditional Chinese shadow puppet theater in our hometown, my father used his own money to support it, because it was dying," says Han.