Tales of Rashomon
On Tour Synopsis: Tales of Rashomon is an original dramatic adaptation of several of Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short stories, made famous by Akira Kurosawa’s award winning film “Rashomon” in 1950. The play is an existential murder mystery set on the outskirts of Kyoto during the twelfth century when earthquakes, fires and famine sent the capital into an extraordinary decline. Rashomon, formally a majestic gate to the city, has fallen into ruins and become shelter to the down trodden. One evening, a colorful band of unsavory characters has gathered beneath the gate to wait out a rainstorm and begin taking about an unusual criminal trial. A bandit was accused of having murdered a samurai who was passing through a bamboo grove with his wife. Testimony was heard from the bandit, the samurai’s wife and, through a medium, the samurai himself. Each story is so detailed and credible, that it is impossible to tell which one is true. When Green T first performed this play in 2009, City Pages writer Quinton Skinner said that “The tone of the piece is assured and wrenching, with Welch's direction leading an ensemble cast through a ghostly reality”. |
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Drawing on traditional Japanese theater forms, kabuki, noh and bunraku puppetry, Green T will bring its own unique brand of stylized performance to explore the nature of truth, cynicism, horror, beauty and humor in Akutagawa’s stories. We are remounting this production as a four-person ensemble so that we can bring it to schools, libraries or theaters or even community centers.
Tales of Rashomon is ideal for High school and college groups as well as anyone else interested in learning about Japanese culture and theater.
Educational: What are, Nōh, Kabuki and Bunraku?
Nōh is a major classical drama form that has been performed since the 13th century known for its stoic, dignified tone.
Kabuki is a traditional form of dance-drama known for its stylized and highly dramatic stories filled with samurai, princesses historical characters and spectacle.
Bunraku is traditional puppet theater. Audiences have been delighted with the level of detail and subtlety since the early 18th-century. It’s definitely not just for kids.
Show length:
Available in 60 minute or 90 minute versions
Age Groups:
Tales of Rashomon is appropriate for students 12 years old and up, it’s particularly ideal for high school and college theater programs.
About the Writer/Director:
Kathy Welch has expertise in traditional Japanese theater and theater for young audiences. She spent 7 years in Hawaii and Japan learning about Japanese dance, music and theater.
Tales of Rashomon is ideal for High school and college groups as well as anyone else interested in learning about Japanese culture and theater.
Educational: What are, Nōh, Kabuki and Bunraku?
Nōh is a major classical drama form that has been performed since the 13th century known for its stoic, dignified tone.
Kabuki is a traditional form of dance-drama known for its stylized and highly dramatic stories filled with samurai, princesses historical characters and spectacle.
Bunraku is traditional puppet theater. Audiences have been delighted with the level of detail and subtlety since the early 18th-century. It’s definitely not just for kids.
Show length:
Available in 60 minute or 90 minute versions
Age Groups:
Tales of Rashomon is appropriate for students 12 years old and up, it’s particularly ideal for high school and college theater programs.
About the Writer/Director:
Kathy Welch has expertise in traditional Japanese theater and theater for young audiences. She spent 7 years in Hawaii and Japan learning about Japanese dance, music and theater.