Storytelling has always held a touch of magic, whether conveyed orally or visually; it is an intrinsic part of human nature. Since time immemorial, humans have forged connections through their narratives.
For Filipino puppet designer-maker and director Kayla Teodoro, the enchantment of stories is elevated through puppetry. Renowned for her creation of the life-sized Yubaba in the stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” she now breathes life into the tale of “Life of Pi” through puppetry in the National Theatre of London’s stage adaptation.
“I had the privilege of working on the show last year during its West End run. I was responsible for the puppets, particularly the tiger and other large puppets. I also closely collaborated with the puppeteers and contributed to the overall production,” said Teodoro, who serves as the artistic director of the Puppet Theater Manila.
“Life of Pi,” the acclaimed stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestselling novel, revolves around Pi, a 16-year-old boy stranded on a lifeboat after a cargo ship sinks in the vast Pacific Ocean. His companions on this harrowing journey include a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger.
As a puppet assistant stage manager, Teodoro’s primary responsibility is ensuring that all the larger puppets are in impeccable condition for each performance. She explained, “I made certain that the puppets were in their designated positions at the right times. Whenever the puppeteers required assistance, I was there to support them. Every night, all the puppets had to be in top form before the show.”
Grateful for the enrichment of her overall experience, Kayla was delighted to collaborate with fellow Asians on “Life of Pi.” Since the story is rooted in India, South Asian talents played pivotal roles in the production. “In the UK, Asian representation behind the scenes is still evolving. However, it was a pleasure to work with South Asian individuals in the cast,” she noted.
Teodoro stressed that the puppetry community is relatively small, especially in the Philippines, the only Southeast Asian nation without an ancient puppetry tradition. “We are taking baby steps, but it’s an exciting journey because it’s still a niche field. In light of this, I established Puppet Theater Manila to promote puppetry throughout the Philippines,” said Teodoro, who earned her master’s degree in puppetry in the United Kingdom.
Determined to propel Filipino storytelling through puppetry, she emphasized how this art form provides a rich platform for Filipino stories rooted in folklore, particularly for the benefit of children. “Even before the arrival of the Spanish, our culture was deeply steeped in pagan traditions, which has given rise to a wealth of folklore and origin stories,” she explained.
“Thanks to puppetry, we now have a means to share these stories. We can show children what an ‘aswang’ or a ‘Butanding’ looks like. Given the Philippines’ abundant indigenous materials and skilled craftsmen, we can engage everyone in the art of storytelling through puppetry.”
Balancing her role in running Puppet Theater Manila and her freelance work, Kayla also dedicates time to teaching puppetry to children of all ages. She also directs puppetry for the new Repertory Philippines musical. What began as a humble journey as a set and costume designer has evolved into significant projects such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” “Spitting Image,” “The Lion King,” and “Life of Pi.”
“Life of Pi” marked the inaugural production under the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ newly launched CCP National Theatre Live program. The program’s goal is to bring the best of London’s National Theatre to Philippine screens, making international theater accessible to local theater enthusiasts, playwrights, artists, and the broader public.
“Our primary aim is to ensure that Filipino audiences witness the full potential of puppetry as an art form. Furthermore, we want to see artists, theater professionals, and filmmakers embracing puppetry,” Teodoro emphasized.
Through the CCP National Theatre Live program, the Cultural Center of the Philippines seeks to offer another exceptional “live” performance experience that expands the cultural horizons of its audiences while making international theater accessible to theater enthusiasts, playwrights, artists, and the wider community.
In collaboration with the National Theatre of London and Ayala Malls Cinema, CCP presents the best of British theater on the big screen. The lineup for the first season includes “Life of Pi,” “Frankenstein,” “The Seagull,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The Crucible,” “Fleabag,” “Othello,” “King Lear,” and “Hamlet,” all digitally filmed in high-definition quality. These productions capture the essence of live theater while being optimized for the big screen, allowing theater enthusiasts across the globe to enjoy them.
For the latest updates, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or visit the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
