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ED2013 4/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews
The Ryukyu – Classic (Ship of the Ryukyu [Okinawa, Japan])
By Natalia Equihua | Published on Sunday 25 August 2013
The colourful kimonos with intricate patterns, the beautiful signing of the actors, and the live music with traditional Japanese instruments was impressive enough to clarify why Kumi Odori was theatre meant for diplomats during the eighteenth century. For this performance, the Ship of the Ryuku company brings the story of a man chased by demons who seeks help in a monastery. For the most part the story is sung in Japanese, but the masks and deliciously elegant movements made the need for a translation unnecessary. The play mixes the fantasy of evil spirits with the innocence of the monks; these last were particularly good at breaking the seriousness of the performance and made the play even more enjoyable. It is definitely an enriching theatrical experience which will appeal audiences from any cultural background.
C, until 26 Aug, 2.30pm.
tw rating 4 / 5 | [Natalia Equihua]
