Kabuki
Theatre
History
Traditional Roles
Play Structure
Contemporary Kabuki
“Letters to draw in customers”
History
Began in early 17th century
Okuni- Miko of Shinto Shrine
New style of dance
Instant popularity
Ensemble dance drama
The Art of Singing and Dancing
“Performers as prostitutes”
Performers
1603-1629 Female groups only
After 1653 Male groups only
Kabuki Theatre- circa 1860
Traditional Roles
Onnagata
Female character
Played by young men
Aragoto
Domineering male
character
Plays are full of action
Wagoto
Affable male character
Plays are often tragic
romances
Onnagata
(Onnagata)
Female characters played by men
Aragoto (Aragoto)
Powerful presence
Rough character
Greatly exaggerated
Words
Movements
Costumes
Make-up
Wagoto
Soft style
Tragic romantic
Realistic
Speech
Mannerisms
Costumes
Make-up
(Wagoto)
Play Structure
(jo-ha-kyū)- All things done at a specified pace
Act 1 jo
Very slow pace
Introduces characters and plot
Acts 2 – 4 ha
Pace steadily increases
Battle in acts 2 or 4
Great moment of drama or tragedy (culminating moment)
Act 5 kyū
Very quick pace
Satisfying conclusion
Bit players provide music, sound
effects and incidental roles.
Contemporary Kabuki Theatre
Contemporary Kabuki
Traditional roles changing
Dance is coming back
Women can perform again
Permanent Kabuki troupe in Australia
East meets West
Kabuki troupes tour UK and Australia
Shakespeare
Contemporary Western theatre
Macbeth- Preparing to kill Duncan