I went to see Kabuki on the other day. The story was based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”.
My impression was, unique Kabuki (in a good meaning). There were more British audience than I thought, and the atmosphere was completely like “away”!
At first, three children were on the stage and sang western style song with cembalo, and Orsino wearing Japanese style costume said “Shakespeare lines”… it was extremely weird! Some British people were giggling, and I thought the whole play might be crap… But don’t underestimate Kabuki actors! They started to capture audience’s feeling little by little.
Well…Kikunosuke acted Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, by changing his costume quickly (this is traditional skill called Hayagawari). I wonder how many British audience could understand how difficult that “hayagawari” was? He changed into gorgeous princess style kimono so quickly, but no one applauded…I felt so sad. It was such a great performance!
I heard Twelfth Night was comedy. I don’t know much about the original, but as the story went, the theatre became filled with laughter. Especially, Kamejiro who acted Maria was really good. His original face is not feminine at all, but somehow he looks so sexy while he is acting a woman… His comical character was really attractive.
I thought the reaction of the audience at the theatre was really good, so I read some review on the internet… but most of them were rather critical. Wondering why, I read them, but it seems their opinions were “This is not Shakespeare.” One article says the first “chorus” made her curiosity, but the rest (direction which is typical Kabuki” was not good because it reduces main point of Shakespeare. It seems, what is important for them is “being Shakespeare” rather than “being Kabuki”. That is, I went to see “Kabuki based on Shakespeare’s story”, but they went to see “Shakespeare which uses Kabuki style”. …Well, I can understand even if they don’t understand Kabuki. Anyway I thought the audience were enjoying it.
But I also felt that atmosphere of the theatre was important for Kabuki. The situation no one shout at actors during the play, (Some audience shout names of actors at a certain point. Only a few regular audience can do it because it might destroy the rhythm of the play. It’s kind of tradition.) was less exciting.
Anyway, I really enjoyed my favourite theatre after for a while!