Above: Unrelated picture of 90's glam idols Kabuki Rocks
Yomiuri: Tips from British expert as kabuki ventures overseas
Is kabuki just too Japanese to catch on overseas? You might think so, given the barriers of language and culture that stand between the traditional drama and foreign audiences. But overseas performances are actually on the up, and at least one Englishman thinks that trend could accelerate, if the kabuki world can build on its momentum. "Once you've got your audience, keep them," says kabuki writer, guide and commentator Ronald Cavaye. "If you go away for 10 years, you've lost them all again--you have to start again"...Cavaye admits this is gut instinct, not proven fact, but when it comes to kabuki and foreign audiences, he's more than qualified to make a few judgment calls. Back in 1979, the concert pianist surprised Japanese audiences at the Kabuki-za theater in Tokyo by plucking up the courage to try kakegoe--the traditional shouts of appreciation that can be heard coming from the crowd during kabuki shows. That gave him the kabuki bug, and he soon became the first foreigner to do kakegoe on a regular basis. His unusual status made him a minor celebrity and led to television interviews that caught the eye of the kabuki world at a time when the earphone guide service was being planned. Cavaye got an invitation to become one of the first guides, and has been part of the service since its inauguration in 1982.
See also Cavaye's Letter From London:
"...Earphone guide translator, commentator and narrator Paul Griffith, ukiyo-e artist Paul Binnie and I were the three kakegoe callers (ō-mukō san) for the tour and, as we called from the top floor of the theatre, very near to the audience, were always able to eavesdrop on their comments during the interval and after the performance. After a day or two it became clear that we could divide the audience roughly into two – those who understood what they were seeing and those who didn’t...'I wish they’d stop applauding,' said one man. 'And what’s that shouting all about?' added another...For us foreigners who love Kabuki it’s a great pity when people regard it as merely some exotic, oriental spectacle. After all, Kabuki is not difficult to understand if one has a helpful guide..."
See also related threads here and here
