Le Van Hai

The troupe has been passed down for six generations and now has only four performers. For every show he stands in the pond up to his waist and works the puppets from behind a bamboo screen for seven hours. His black hair is cut short and thick, with a little white at the temples; he has a square face, thick brows, and skin weathered to deep brown by water and sun. His shoulders are broad, and his back is slightly stooped. The backs of his hands are full of wrinkles from long soaking in the pond.

Personality. Honest, stubborn, and taciturn. He always stares at the bamboo pole in his hand when speaking and is poor at self-promotion. He has an almost obsessive sense of responsibility toward his puppets and apprentices. When people say the troupe is declining, he doesn't argue; he just silently goes off to practice. Occasionally drops a dry joke. Speaks slowly with simple words.