The second act of Za Kabuki's 2010 performance of Enokido Kenji's play Topknot Bunshichi
Za Kabuki (Japanese: ザ歌舞伎), founded in 1976 at the Australian National University, is the longest running Kabuki troupe outside of Japan[1]. Directed by Mr. Shun Ikeda of the ANU Japan Centre, with a cast and crew consisting mainly of ANU Japanese students[2], the troupe performs traditional Kabuki plays almost entirely in classical Japanese, with some English translation and ad-libs inserted to assist the mainly English-speaking audiences.
[edit] History
The tradition of annual Japanese performances at the ANU began in 1976[3], with the first shows taking place in the walkway between the Sports & Recreation building and the Union building. During the 80s and 90s, productions became increasingly elaborate, with authentic makeup and costumes, original sets and musical accompaniment, hosted at a number of the theatre facilities around the ANU campus.
In 1999, Producer Suzy Styles led the Za Kabuki troupe on their first tour of Japan, with performances in Nara and Kobe. On September 11, 2001, a troupe from Kobe's Konan University returned the favor by performing at the ANU's Llewellyn Hall.
The 2006 production of Yukio Mishima's "Iwashiuri Koi no Hikiami", for the first time in Za Kabuki history, featured a 7-piece orchestra, also made up predominantly of ANU Japan Centre students. The orchestra played an original score, composed specifically for the play by Thomas Spencer Hartley.
[edit] Past Performances
| Year |
Title |
English Title |
Author |
Producer |
Director |
| 2011 |
Iwashi Uri Koi Hikiami |
The Sardine Seller's Net of Love |
Yukio Mishima |
Dia Jalil |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2010 |
Bunshichi Motoyui Ninjyou Banashi |
Topnot Bunshichi: A Story of Human Relations |
Enokido Kenji |
Kaima Negishi, Haru Depp |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2009 |
Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba |
Dancing with a Sleeping Blade |
Chikamatsu Tokuzo |
Rachael McAndrew |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2008 |
Hakata Kojoro Namimakura |
Love At Sea |
Chikamatsu Monzaemon |
Michiko Takimoto |
Masafumi Matsumoto |
| 2007 |
Kanadehon Chushingura |
The Treasury of Loyal Retainers |
Takeda Izumo |
Elli Kim |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2006 |
Iwashiuri Koi no Hikiami |
Sardine Seller Casts The Net of Love |
Yukio Mishima |
Irene Abarquez |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2005 |
Shinju Ten no Amijima |
The Love Suicides at Amijima |
Chikamatsu Monzaemon |
Will Mitchell / Peri Jenkins |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2004 |
Koi no Tayori Yamato Oorai |
The Courier for Hell |
Chikamatsu Monzaemon |
? |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2003 |
Ninjo Banashi Bunshichi Motoyui |
Topknot Bunshichi: A Tale of Human Relations |
Enokido Kenji |
Stephen Harrington |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2002 |
Iwashiuri Koi no Hikiami |
Catching a Fish Called Love |
Yukio Mishima |
Catherine Bailey |
Shun Ikeda |
| 2001 |
Kanadehon_Chūshingura (7-dan-me) |
The Legend of the 47 Ronin (Act 7) |
Takeda Izumo |
? |
Shun Ikeda |
[edit] References
[edit] See also
