Kabuki Theatre History Traditional Roles Play Structure Contemporary

Kabuki Theatre • History • Traditional Roles • Play Structure • Contemporary Kabuki

“Letters to draw in customers”

History Began in early 17 th 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 (Wagoto) Soft style Tragic romantic Realistic Speech Mannerisms Costumes Make-up

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