<p>Southeast Asia is known for its long history of puppet theaters, and among the most exotic are those of Indonesia.</p>

<p>The new Indonesian Papermoon Puppet Theater arrives at Lafayette College's Williams Center Tuesday for the first stop in its North American tour. This company of young puppeteers will present a new work, "Mwathirika," a politically inspired piece based on the 1965 attempted coup to overthrow the Indonesian leader Sukarno.</p>

<p>This 60-minute performance re-creates the events and its turbulent aftermath, when thousands of Indonesians were jailed and murdered. This incident was depicted in the Peter Weir film "The Year of Living Dangerously."</p>

<p>The company uses simple whimsical puppets, visual imagery and theatrical arts to depict the ravages of political persecution and the personal side of history. There is no talking. The company hopes to spark a dialogue among audience and artists.</p>

<p>This puppet theater follows the Asian tradition of presenting adult themes through traditional Indonesian puppetry. The company also uses the Bunraku and Kuruma Ningyo theatrical traditions of Japan.</p>

<p>The production, while intimate in scale, also tries to be an emotional experience that is "intellectually challenging, emotionally chilling and visually bold."</p>

<p>The group's visit to Lafayette includes class presentations and workshops with students to speak about their work, creative process and treatment of the Sukarno struggle.</p>

<p>• "Mwathirika," Papermoon Puppet Theater, 8 p.m. Sept. 11, Williams Center for the Arts, Lafayette College, High and Hamilton streets, Easton. Tickets: $15. 610-330-5009, williamscenter.lafayette.edu </p>