puppetry

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

puppetry
    n 1: the art of making puppets and presenting puppet shows
    2: a stilted dramatic performance (as if by puppets)

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Puppetry \Pup"pet*ry\, n.
   Action or appearance resembling that of a puppet, or puppet
   show; hence, mere form or show; affectation.
   [1913 Webster]

         Puppetry of the English laws of divorce. --Chambers.
   [1913 Webster]