No Strings Attached International Puppetry Festival 2026 – The Soup of Reincarnation Details:

Dates: 13 Nov 2026 – 15 Nov 2026
Time: 7.30pm to 8.45pm
Venue: Goodman Arts Centre — Black Box
Language(s): Mandarin, Hokkien
Age Rating: General, 7 Years and Above

Price Details

Early Bird: $38.25 (Until 18 October 2026)
Pair of Two – Early Bird: $72.25
Standard: $45
Pair of Two: $85

Ticket Pricing excludes Booking Fee. Booking Fee is as follows:
$4 booking fee per ticket for tickets between $40.01 and $60
$3 booking fee per ticket for tickets between $20.01 and $40

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.

A Rare Opportunity – The Soup of Reincarnation

The festival’s headline production, 《孟婆汤》(The Soup of Reincarnation) by Taiwan’s Jin Kwei Lo Puppet Company, will be presented for three nights only, from 13–15 November 2026 at the Goodman Arts Centre Black Box.

Recipient of the 29th Taiwan Traditional Arts Golden Melody Awards (第29届台湾传艺金曲奖), The Soup of Reincarnation is widely recognised as one of Taiwan’s finest contemporary Hokkien glove puppetry productions. Since its premiere, the production has toured international puppetry festivals across Asia, Europe and beyond, captivating audiences with its moving storytelling and exceptional puppetry craftsmanship. It has received rave reviews from festival programmers, local media and audiences alike. This will be the first time the production is performed in Singapore, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience an internationally acclaimed masterpiece of traditional Chinese puppetry.

“Bringing The Soup of Reincarnation to Singapore is a dream come true,” said Benjamin Ho, Artistic Director of Paper Monkey Theatre. “This masterpiece beautifully demonstrates how traditional puppetry continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in Chinese culture. We hope Singapore audiences, especially families and seniors, will treasure this rare opportunity.”

Synopsis

In the depths of the underworld, Meng Po 孟婆, the legendary guardian of reincarnation, patiently waits beside the River of Oblivion, offering every departing soul a bowl of soup to erase memories before they begin a new life. Through her eyes unfolds the intertwined destinies of three iconic heroines from Chinese folklore—Wang Bao-chuan 王宝钏, Bai Su-zhen (Madam White Snake) 白素贞and Pan Jin-lian 潘金莲 —whose stories reveal love, sacrifice, resilience and the injustices they endured.

Inspired by these legendary women, 孟婆汤The Soup of Reincarnation reimagines traditional glove puppetry from a contemporary female perspective, weaving together mythology, memory and reality into a poetic theatrical experience. As puppets transform seamlessly from one character to another, the performance reflects the eternal cycle of life, loss, forgetting and rebirth, inviting audiences to reflect on the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Blending the refined artistry of traditional Potehi (布袋戏) with contemporary staging, object theatre, shadow play, masks and striking visual design, the production pushes the boundaries of traditional puppetry while honouring its cultural roots. The result is a powerful and visually stunning performance that transcends language and resonates with audiences across cultures.

Co-Presented By