HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Ready-for-rent villa in Mayangone township
MAKE no mistake – this is a big house. The compound is about 10,000 square feet and the two-storey house has about 5000 square feet as well. And it’s just as well that there’s so much space because it’s a long way from downtown, at Thanlawaddy Street, off Pyay Road, in Mayangone township. more
Word on the street .....
(Volume 26, No. 507)
Ye Nyi Nyi
YE NYI NYI is a professional marionette player who will this week participate in workshops dedicated to marionette theatre organised by Alliance Francaise. Timeout caught up with him to talk about how he got involved with marionettes.
When did you start learning marionette theatre?
I started learning marionette [theatre] at the National Culture and Art University in 2005. I had never studied marionettes or any other art form before and I was not familiar with the art even though I was very interested in it.
Why did you choose this subject?
When I reached university level I wasn’t sure what subject I should take but the [education] officer advised me to take this one. I only studied this subject for one year after which I moved to acting and drama, which were offered for the first time in 2006. Although I quit from my original subject I was still very interested in marionette theatre so I continued to learn about it each evening from my professor U Ye Dwe, after my acting class was finished.
What difficulties have you faced studying marion-ette theatre?
Marionette theatre is dancing to music’s rhythm and is very difficult for me. I hadn’t studied art and music before so it was a risk. Although the puppets weigh little at first they become quite heavy, hurting my hands. Some forms of marionette dance are difficult and also the strings are very hard, which can hurt you over time.
What kind of dances would you like to perform?
I would like to dance “Thone Paing Pyat Ka Wai Ah Kah” (Wizard Dance in Three Parts) and also “Si Paing Khat Ah Kah” (Tub Strike Dance), which are created by pioneer marionette players. Many people say that the dancer must dance like the puppet and the puppet must dance like the dancer so I would like to try marionette dance and real dance together.
What was your first experience performing?
After a further six months study following my first year at university, my professor urged me to dance at the Karaweik Restaurant in Kandawgyi Garden. Although I didn’t have much confidence in myself, I went there alone and played there. I was very excited. I played there for two months.
What will you teach at the Alliance Franciase work-shops?
I’m going to teach with my professor U Ye Dwe. He will teach the methods and I will teach the students the practical element. We will teach only marionette theatre.
