The Ottoman Shadow Play

Puppets stood 15 inches tall. They were oiled to look translucent, making them slippery little fellows.

A three sided booth used a curtain printed with branches and roses. Even the tent was flowery.

The plays were so popular in 19th-century Romania that a character's name became slang.

A three-man orchestra sat at the foot of a small raised stage.

Karagöz plays are structured in four parts, starting with Mukaddime.

In 2018, Hacivat appeared in Fortnite during its fifth season. A shadow puppet now has a digital wardrobe.

Plays thrived in coffee houses until radio and film arrived.

According to legend, two actual construction workers in Bursa inspired the puppets.