No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival 2026 – Beyond Borders and Strings Details:

Dates: 13 Nov 2026 – 15 Nov 2026
Duration: 45 minutes
Venue: Goodman Arts Centre — The Artground, White Box
Language(s): English
Age Rating: General, 3 Years and Above

Price Details

Early Bird 15% (Until 18 October 2026)
– Single Show: $17
– Single Session (2 Shows): $29.75
– Single Day (4 Shows): $51

Standard
– Single Show: $20
– Single Session (2 Shows): $35
– Single Day (4 Shows): $60

Terms and Conditions

Terms of Ticket Sales
Once sold, tickets are strictly non-refundable or exchangeable unless the Singapore government mandates the closure of events in Singapore. All information given is correct at the time of publishing, but is subject to change without prior notice. The Promoter reserves all rights to amend any terms and conditions without prior notice, and, in the event of any dispute, the Promoter’s decision is final.

Conditions of Entry
– Admission is subject to valid tickets produced at the entrance.
– Each ticket admits one person.
– Infants in arms and children below 3 years old shall not be admitted.
– Socks are mandatory for all children and adults within the Artground’s indoor play space.

Late Seating Advisory
– You are strongly advised to be seated before the performance start time.
– Latecomers will be admitted during suitable breaks, if any.
– Exceptions may be made at Paper Monkey Theatre’s discretion depending on the nature of the performance.

General
– Attendees must follow all venue rules and safety guidelines, including any health protocols in place on the event day.
– Mobile phones must be switched off or switched to silent mode in the theatre.
– Patrons are required to follow all house rules and regulations set out by the venue.
– The House Rules are displayed within the venue premises.
– No food and drinks are allowed in the theatre.

Photography / Videography Recording Rules
– No unauthorised photography, video and audio recording is allowed for this event.
– Please note that photographs and videos of patrons may be taken at this event for use in our archival and publicity material.

Help Us Keep Everyone Safe
– Stay at home if you’re unwell.

Paper Monkey Theatre Presents:

No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival 2026 – Beyond Borders & Strings 

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival 2026 continues its mission of bringing the world’s most inspiring puppetry artists to Singapore. This milestone edition embraces the theme ”Beyond Borders and Strings”, inviting audiences to discover how puppetry transcends language, culture and borders through the universal power of storytelling.

This year’s No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival, audiences can experience a remarkable line-up of internationally acclaimed puppeteers from Korea, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand, each presenting a distinctive puppetry tradition and artistic language rarely seen in Singapore. From poetic visual theatre and innovative object manipulation to shadow puppetry, traditional storytelling and contemporary puppet-making techniques, every performance offers a unique window into the culture, history and imagination of its home country.

Designed for children and families, the festival creates opportunities for young audiences to explore different cultures through engaging visual narratives that go beyond spoken language. Each production celebrates the creativity and craftsmanship of puppetry while encouraging curiosity, empathy and cross-cultural understanding.

From Fear to Hope by Animawayang Community (Indonesia) (click to watch teaser)

In a once-peaceful forest, humans arrive and begin cutting down trees—sparking a brave uprising among the animals. Their victory seems certain… until humans return, capturing the creatures and leading them onto a giant ark. When a great flood sweeps across the land, the animals realize the truth: humans are not their enemies, but their rescuers from extinction. As the storm finally clears, a brilliant rainbow stretches across the sky—a sign of a brand-new promise: humans and nature will live in harmony and protect the Earth together.

Caps for Sale by Pineapple Studio (Thailand) (click to watch teaser)

“Caps for Sale” is a classic folktale from India, telling the story of a caps seller and a mischievous gang of monkeys.

​Pineapple Studio has reimagined this tale as a “Shadow Play”, opening up a portal of imagination into a whole new dimension of perception.

Beside You by Odongnamoo Happening (Korea) (click to watch teaser)

When a Gayageum string breaks, must the musician stop playing? Beside You is a solo puppet performance inspired by a personal experience of hurt and healing. Through the Gayageum, puppetry and movement, the performer explores memories, pain and the courage to move forward. “Heart” seeks revenge against “Hurt”, but encounters a broken tree supported by the surrounding trees and discovers strength through connection. The Gayageum transforms on stage, becoming a space where music, puppetry and imagination meet. The strings become metaphors for tradition, memory and human connection, revealing a story beyond expectation and imagination.

Ashiq Wants to Tell You a Story by Hojjat Zeinali (click to watch teaser)

“Ashiq Wants to Tell You a Story” is a real-time digital cut-out animation puppet show created for children aged 4–8. The performance combines live storytelling, puppetry, and projection to bring traditional narrative structures into a contemporary visual language. Using a simple desk-based setup, characters are animated live in front of the audience, allowing children to witness the creation of images and stories simultaneously. The show is inspired by the Azerbaijani tradition of Ashiq storytelling and focuses on imagination, listening, and emotional connection rather than spectacle.

*All performances are in English
*Suitable for children 3 yrs and above.
*Free seating
*As your ticket includes complimentary admission to The Artground’s indoor play space, socks are mandatory for all children and adults. Please bring a pair of socks for everyone in your group to enjoy the play area.

Open Programme 1

Play, Make, Move! – Workshops, Storytelling & Mini Puppetry

Step into a world where stories come alive through puppetry, movement and imagination!

What happens when stories leap off the stage and into your hands?

Play, Make, Move! invites children and adults to become part of the creative journey through a series of engaging workshops, interactive storytelling sessions and live performances inspired by the world of puppetry.

Explore different puppetry traditions, create your own puppet-inspired craft, and discover how everyday objects can be transformed into magical characters through movement and imagination. The programme concludes with a lively showcase by graduates of Paper Monkey Theatre’s Potehi Performance Masterclass, celebrating the art of traditional glove puppetry and the talents of emerging local artists.

Suitable for the whole family, Play, Make, Move! encourages children and parents to play, learn and create together, inspiring creativity, curiosity and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.

Admission is free. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 40 participants per session (including children and accompanying adults).

Open Programme 2

Shadow Puppet Slam

Step into a world where shadows come alive!

Shadow Puppet Slam is a dynamic celebration of contemporary shadow puppetry, bringing together the magic of traditional wayang-inspired techniques with creative innovation and contemporary storytelling.

Watch as puppeteers transform light, shadow and simple silhouettes into captivating characters, fantastical worlds and unexpected stories. Blending traditional techniques with fresh ideas, the performances showcase how shadow puppetry can evolve while retaining its timeless sense of wonder.

Part of No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival 2026 – Beyond Borders & Strings, the Shadow Puppet Slam offers audiences an exciting evening of visual storytelling, imagination and puppetry experimentation.

📅 13 & 14 November 2026
🕖 7.00pm – 8.30pm
📍 GAC Amphitheatre, Goodman Arts Centre
🎟️ Free Entry

Come gather under the light, and discover what stories can emerge from the shadows!

Presented By