Kyogen Performance/Workshop

Today, we attended a Kyogen performance, as part of arts week at CIS.

Kyogen is a traditional Japanese theater form that has been around for hundreds of years. It is based in using the unamplified voice to create sound effects as well as to project their words. The play that was performed was the story of a thief who tried to steal some shrubs, but the owner of said shrubs realized it and played a game with the thief, creating animal noises to scare him. With much laughter ensuing.

The costumes in Kyogen  are based on traditional Japanese clothing. The actors wear different costumes (made of brightly colored and patterned cloth), to display different ranks and characters. For example in the play performed the thief wore a brightly colored simple costume displaying a lower rank, then the shop keeper who wore extremely baggy black and white robes, which of course had much detail to it.

The entire play is done with sweeping, sturdy movements. The feet do not often leave the stage, and if they do it is in a very subtle and smooth way. This is due to the fact that the original stages kyogen was performed on was a very unstable Noh (another Japanese theater form) stage.

The play itself, though simple, was quite amazing to watch, due to the raw power behind the actor's voices, considering that Japanese is such a quiet language to begin with. The two performers, a brother and sister duo, have been learning Kyogen since the age of 3. The brother, holds the world record for youngest kyogen master. The title of Kyogen master means that you have to both be able to act and perform extremely well, as well as memorizing every Kyogen play (over a hundred). During the performance the siblings performed with a complete immersion in their character, something very hard to do. This of course created an awesome display of pure acting power, using very little props. Actually the only prop allowed is a fan of sorts. Using it in different motions with different sounds, translates to different actions. Amazingly enough, actors combine all these aspects into a flawless stream of sounds, lines and movements. All with an air of formality.

After the performance, we (the IB1 drama class) as well as the IB2 drama class and the year 10's gathered in the drama room for a short Kyogen workshop. We sat down and received a basic history of Kyogen and were introduced to the two actors on a more personal note.

Then we were lined up in rows, with ample amount of space in between each person. They then demonstrated the correct way to sit, stand and move in Kyogen fashion. This was difficult enough, sitting required that your feet be crossed in such a way that your arches screamed after about 5 minutes, I have great respect for the actors for being able to simply sit for any extended period of time. Standing required an almost duck like posture with your rear sticking out and chest up and high. Of course having my luck, I was chosen to show the whole workshop the correct posture (after the Kyogen master arranged my body into the correct stance).

After everyone had the basics we were taught the basics of a short Kyogen play, the story about a bunny hopping from one mountain to another. None of us spoke Japanese so we had no idea what we were saying, but we mimicked the master as best we could. At the end of the our miserable attempt to perform the play, we sat back down and watched the play be performed the correct way. A lot of difference between them and us, but I guess a life time of practice does help.

After the workshop we shook hands with the Kyogen actors, thanking them for coming. Some of the Japanese parents were there and treated the actors with utmost admiration. It really shows how respected these people are in japan. I share the Japanese's respect for these actors, not only for the physical strength required to act Kyogen but also the hard work and determination they have put into their craft. I loved the workshop and am more than happy I was shown a new form of theater i had no idea existed.