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"Kabuki for Everyone" led by Ichimura Manjiro will be here in Hong Kong in August to show the Hong Kong audience the traditional theatrical art of Japan.
Kabuki is one of the traditional performing arts of Japan with a history of over four centuries. With extensive and continuous evolution, it has now been perfected into a state of classical refinement. The spectacular sets, gorgeous costumes, celebrated kabuki artists and a full complement of musicians allow audience to experience the glamour of this exquisite artistry.
"Kabuki for Everyone" is established and led by Ichimura Manjiro, a renowned kabuki master. The group has performed worldwide to promote Japanese culture through this unique performing art. The Company's first visit to Hong Kong was in 1996 for the Festival of Asian Arts winning overwhelming acclaim. For the coming performance in August, the group will perform "Renjishi", "Fuji Musume" and excerpts of "Chuzhingura", "Suzugamori", etc.
"Renjishi" (The Three Lion) is a resplendent showcase of traditional Japanese theatre and dance performed by Ichimura Manjiro and his two sons. It contains the finest elements from the kyogen or farces, the classical Noh theatre as well as Kabuki. "Fuji Musume", accompanied by traditional Japanese live music in the magnificent set, is lively, colourful, filled with subtle movements and dozed with heavy fantasy.
Kabuki was created in the early 17th Century by Okuni, a shrine maiden who brought her unique and lively dance style to the dry riverbeds of the ancient capital of Kyoto. When Kabuki became more and more popular, women on stage began to attract undue attention from male admirers. To protect public moral, the government decided to ban appearance of women from the stage. This move, however necessitated the importance of skill over beauty and put more stress on drama than dance, putting Kabuki on the path to become a dramatic form. Another important development was the appearance of "onnagata" -- female role specialists, which meant men playing the roles of women. Onnagata has been so highly regarded that men are more feminine than women. And this has become the most distinguished characteristic of Kabuki.
The performance, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan and The Japan Foundation, will be staged at 7.30 pm on August 9 to 10 (Friday to Sunday) at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets priced at $450, $320, $190 and $90 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Discount tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). Please check out programme leaflets for other discount schemes.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999; for internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.gov.hk. To search more information on internet, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp
End/Monday, June 24, 2002
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