VOA慢速英语2009年-EXPLORATIONS - Exploring the Magical World

VOICE ONE:

I'm Bob Doughty¹.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Faith Lapidus with EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. Since ancient times, cultures around the world have been making and performing with puppets. They express the ideas and beliefs of human societies through stories. Puppets are lifeless objects that are controlled in such a way as to become lifelike. It is the role of the puppeteer² to make these forms come alive.

Join us as we explore the world of puppetry and visit an organization in Atlanta, Georgia that works to support this special art form.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:
　
A bunraku puppet

In Japan, the tradition of bunraku puppetry dates back hundreds of years. A bunraku puppet is quite large. Unlike most puppets, it requires three puppeteers³ to control. One puppeteer controls the doll's head, face, and right hand. Another puppeteer controls the doll's left hand. And the third operates its legs and feet. The puppeteers train for many years to move as one in bringing the puppet to life to act in complex theater productions.

VOICE TWO:

In Turkey, the Karagoz tradition of shadow puppets began around the seventeenth century. These Turkish shadow puppets are flat. They are made of very thin pieces of leather that have been painted with bright colors. With shadow puppets, the puppeteer stands behind a white cloth surface and rests the slightly see-through puppets against the cloth. Light behind the cloth screen illuminates⁴ the colorful puppets for the people watching on the other side.

VOICE ONE:

The Punch and Judy tradition of puppet shows has its roots in the sixteenth century Italian Commedia dell'Arte theater. Punch and Judy shows later became very popular in Britain. Many other countries have their own versions of Punch and Judy puppets. The French equivalent to Punch is Polichinelle, while in Russia he goes by the name Petrushka.

VOICE TWO:

In addition to shadow puppets, there are three general puppet forms. Rod puppets are controlled by a stick or wire attached to the puppet's main body parts. As you can guess from the name, hand puppets are worn on and controlled by the puppeteer's hand. Marionettes are controlled from above by a series of strings⁶ or wires.

Before the age of television and the Internet puppet shows were a major form of entertainment for audiences of all ages all over the world. What kind of puppet traditions exist where you live?

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

To learn more about the history of puppet traditions, you can visit the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. The center's museum is filled with more than one thousand five hundred puppets from around the world. They tell about the rich history of this art.

Jeremy Underwood is the curator of the museum. He can tell stories about each puppet in the museum, including a finely carved marionette⁵ from Mexico.
　
A "Vaquero" marionette from Mexico

JEREMY UNDERWOOD: "This is actually a really cool piece. It's done by the Rosete-Aranda Company. They were active in the twenties and thirties. They were doing biblical stories in the beginning, but then they branched out to these different folk stories. This is a cowboy. They were actually drawing influence from Italian puppetry which is this very realistic puppetry. So not all puppetry is just foam⁷ and fleece. It's very intricately carved pieces of art."

VOICE ONE:

Mister Underwood says that Asia has a very rich tradition of puppetry. He says that about eight hundred of the puppets in the Center for Puppetry Arts collection are from Asia.

JEREMY UNDERWOOD: "In this case we have Wayang golek, Wayang klitik which are two major forms of traditional Indonesian puppetry, and behind you we have Wayan kulit which is the shadow puppetry of Indonesia. So these are three major forms of puppetry in Indonesia. And also in this case we have Chinese and Indian puppets."

VOICE TWO:

Of course, not all of the puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts date back to ancient times. Many are very recent, including a collection of puppets created by the famous American puppeteer Jim Henson. He created puppets for several television series and movies including "Fraggle Rock," "The Muppets," and "Sesame Street." His shows were extremely popular because they were both funny and educational. You can see several of his characters including Big Bird and the Swedish Chef.

VOICE ONE:

One large puppet called Trashcan Phoenix⁸ was made by the artist Michael Curry⁹. He has designed productions for performance groups including Cirque du Soleil, the Metropolitan¹⁰ Opera in New York City, and Disney Theatrical¹¹ Productions.

(SOUND)

At the press of a button, a form that looks like a trashcan unfolds and spreads its wings to become a bird. This mechanical bird shows how modern technology is adding to the limitless possibilities of puppetry.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

The Center for Puppetry Arts is about much more than its museum. It is also a center for puppet performance. Vincent Anthony created the organization in nineteen seventy-eight. Since that time, the group has been planning and performing all kinds of puppet shows.

VINCENT ANTHONY: "And then it's interesting to see the performance context. What kind of performances do they have in India now, China now. We invite groups from all over the world to come here. And then what kind of performances can we create that are contemporary and speak to a whole new audience."

VOICE ONE:

Some puppet shows at the Center for Puppetry Arts are for young people. For example, the show "Adventures of Little Noodle" is about a character made of pasta who goes on an exploration of the food store she lives in with her family.

(SOUND)

VOICE TWO:

The aim of the play is to educate young people about how to make healthy choices about food and exercise. The show was performed by three puppeteers dressed in black clothing.

With special lighting¹² effects, they became invisible and their brightly colored puppets took over the stage. At the end, the puppeteers discussed why it is important to eat healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables. And, they explained to the children watching how they operated the puppets.

After the show, the children could attend a workshop and learn how to make a paper version of the Little Noodle puppet.

VOICE ONE:

The center's next show for children is called "Dinosaurs¹³." It is about a bird named Francine who travels back in time to learn about her ancient relatives, the dinosaurs. We were able to watch as the puppeteers practiced for this new show.

(SOUND)

It takes great skill to sing and act while controlling the expressions and movements of the puppet.

VOICE TWO:
　
Jason von Hinezmeyer in his puppet workshop

Not all of the shows at the center are for children. Next month, the center will begin its "Ghastly Dreadfuls" show to mark the Halloween season. And this winter, the show "Tales of Edgar Allan Poe" will turn this famous American writer's stories into puppet form.

The puppets for these shows are made in a workshop that is part of the center. Jason von Hinezmeyer is the organization's main puppet builder. He works with the Artistic¹⁴ Director Jon Ludwig to bring these performances to life.

VOICE ONE:

The Center for Puppetry Arts also invites other puppet groups to perform on its stages. These include Tanglewood Marionettes, based in Ware¹⁵, Massachusetts; and Nappy's Puppets, based in North Haven¹⁶, Connecticut. La Pendue is a puppet group from France that performs its own version of the Polichinelle tradition. And, Gray Seal Puppets, based in Charlotte, North Carolina travels around the United States. They perform in schools, libraries and festivals. One of their puppet plays is called "Bathtub Pirates."

BLACKBEARD: "Perfect! Oh well done, Mister Tweezers¹⁷, well done."

TWEEZERS: "Aye, aye, Captain."

BLACKBEARD: "Yes, I believe the tub will suit our needs perfectly¹⁸, Tweezers, perfectly!"

VOICE TWO:

Educational programs are another big part of the Center for Puppetry Arts. Adults can take classes to learn how to build and operate puppets.

The center's distance learning program uses puppets to teach children in classrooms in forty-four American states. By using video technology, educators and performers at the center in Atlanta, Georgia can connect with classrooms around the country.

The program uses puppets to teach students about subjects such as dinosaurs, plants and the rainforest. Other programs tell about American and European literature or about puppet traditions around the world.

These efforts are helping¹⁹ to teach a whole new generation about the magical world of puppetry arts.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

This program was written and produced by Dana Demange. I'm Bob Doughty.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Faith Lapidus. You can find transcripts²⁰, MP3s and podcasts of our reports at voaspecialenglish.com. You can also comment on this report and tell us about puppet traditions in your country. Join us again next week for EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English.

1 doughty   

adj.勇猛的，坚强的

参考例句：

• Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质：脾气倔强，性格刚强。
• The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。

2 puppeteer   

n.操纵木偶的人，操纵傀儡

参考例句：

• Mr. Sullivan is a professional puppeteer.沙利文先生是一位专业的木偶戏表演者。
• One puppeteer controls the doll's head,face,and right hand.一个表演者控制木偶的头部，面部和右手。

3 puppeteers   

n.操纵木偶的人，操纵傀儡( puppeteer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

4 illuminates   

v.使明亮( illuminate的第三人称单数 )；照亮；装饰；说明

参考例句：

• The light shines on from over there and illuminates the stage. 灯光从那边照进来，照亮了舞台。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sun illuminates the sky. 太阳照亮了天空。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 marionette   

n.木偶

参考例句：

• With this marionette I wish to travel through the world.我希望带着这个木偶周游世界。
• The development of marionette had a great influence on the future development of opera.木偶戏的发展对以后的戏曲有十分重要的影响。

6 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

7 foam   

v./n.泡沫，起泡沫

参考例句：

• The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
• The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。

8 phoenix   

n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生

参考例句：

• The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
• The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。

9 curry   

n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革

参考例句：

• Rice makes an excellent complement to a curry dish.有咖喱的菜配米饭最棒。
• Add a teaspoonful of curry powder.加一茶匙咖喱粉。

10 metropolitan   

adj.大城市的，大都会的

参考例句：

• Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
• Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。

11 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。

12 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

13 dinosaurs   

n.恐龙( dinosaur的名词复数 )；守旧落伍的人，过时落后的东西

参考例句：

• The brontosaurus was one of the largest of all dinosaurs. 雷龙是所有恐龙中最大的一种。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. 恐龙绝种已有几百万年了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

15 ware   

n.(常用复数)商品，货物

参考例句：

• The shop sells a great variety of porcelain ware.这家店铺出售品种繁多的瓷器。
• Good ware will never want a chapman.好货不须叫卖。

16 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

17 tweezers   

n.镊子

参考例句：

• We simply removed from the cracked endocarp with sterile tweezers.我们简单地用消过毒的镊子从裂开的内果皮中取出种子。
• Bee stings should be removed with tweezers.蜜蜂的螫刺应该用小镊子拔出来。

18 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

19 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

20 transcripts   

n.抄本（ transcript的名词复数 ）；转写本；文字本；副本

参考例句：

• Like mRNA, both tRNA and rRNA are transcripts of chromosomal DNA. tRNA及rRNA同mRNA一样，都是染色体DNA的转录产物。 来自辞典例句
• You can't take the transfer students'exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书，你就不能参加转学考试。 来自辞典例句