Strange Tales of Liaozhai

Through choreography and manipulation, master puppeteer Hanne Tierney conducts an intricate counterweight system of over 100 strings, transforming a full stage of inanimate objects into the players of two emotionally charged tales.

This lush work is adapted from 18th century supernatural Chinese folk tales, compiled by the scholar Pu Songling; one is a love story and the other a tale of magic pigeons. They are revealed through two distinct mediums – Hanne Tierney’s abstract puppetry and projected, hand-drawn images created by Hannah Wasileski.

These separate narratives wind in and out of each other, unfolding through movement, images, and gestures, with expressive silks, lanterns, and bamboo poles brought to life in real time.

Jane Wang’s original compositions for toy pianos, double bass and self-constructed Asian Space Plates, enrich and complement the two tales.