An immunity token, a judge's sword and a Thursday night in Taoyuan
Gu Du Puppet Theatre plays Judge Bao at Lianhua Temple: an immunity token against an imperial sword, and a people's case still waiting to be heard.
Look Three Small · Taoyuan
A painted puppet with a long black beard and embroidered dragons on the October 8 programme poster.
2026
Image: 戲籠出巡 / 古都木偶劇團 / Editorial use
Editorial useView source ↗
Watch a puppet's gesture and listen to how the live ensemble answers it.
On October 8, Gu Du Puppet Theatre brings《三俠五義之鍘龐昱》to Lianhua Temple in Taoyuan. The dispute begins with relief grain. Pang Yu, sent to distribute it, keeps it for himself and abuses the people he was supposed to help. Local officials fear his connections. The people take their complaint to Judge Bao.
Then his father produces an imperial token that protects his son from execution. Bao has an imperial sword of his own. Both men claim imperial authority. The people still need their case heard.
Troupe leader Huang Guan-wei describes the story as a warning to people in government. For a first-time visitor, it also provides a way into the performance: follow who has power, who is asking for help and who tries to stop the judgment.
The puppets have a live ensemble behind them. The musicians follow their movements, the characters' emotions and the turns in the story with melody and percussion. Watch a gesture and listen to what the musicians do with it. The exchange is part of the pleasure of a temple performance.
Get there
Public transport
From Taoyuan railway station, board bus 129 at 復興中正路口（桃園火車站） and get off at 蓮華寺. Use live directions to check the next departure and your return journey.
Sources
- 戲籠出巡: October 8, Taoyuan — 三俠五義之鍘龐昱 ↗ — Date, times, story and poster
- Mirror TV livestream ↗ — Livestream of the night