Thai theatrical puppetry is unique among the various forms of puppetry in that it is derived from the traditional Thai khon theatre — a highly sophisticated and stylised form of staged entertainment with dancing, singing and music.
The Joe Louis puppet play is performed by three puppeteers jointly controlling one puppet and all of whom appear on stage with the puppet thereby creating highly animated, life-like movements. This enables the puppet to move or dance gracefully. Each of the puppeteers is a khon performer in his or her own right.
The Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre Company is the only troupe of Thai theatrical puppeteers in existence. It remains the sole guardian of this dying art form: the directors and senior members of the troupe are direct artistic successors of the founder of Thai theatrical puppetry. Performances are as unique as they are authentic.
Performances at the Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre are a showcase for Thailand's cultural heritage and reflect the unstinting efforts of the troupe to preserve and perpetuate this exotic art form. The most popular play performed by the Joe Louis puppet troupe is the famous "Ramayana" epic (Ramakien in Thai), regularly performed in Thailand and the countries of South and Southeast Asia.
Avatara refers to the descent or incarnation of a god in the form of a human or animal. For example, Rama is the human form of the god, Vishnu, who is known as Phra Narai in Thai.