Kabuki, the traditional Japanese theater performance, is having a strong showing at the moment in Singapore, which is why it’s important not to miss a masterful upcoming performance featuring one of the greatest kabuki actors today.
Actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI, the latest kabuki actor in a long tradition in his family, dating back to the 17th century, is returning to Singapore to take part in a performance that will feature two kabuki plays. The first, which Ichikawa stars in, is about an umbrella salesman in a monsoon who proves himself to be quite the fighter when threatened. Ichikawa himself remarked that one of the biggest cultural differences Singaporean audiences will notice about this play in particular is that he noticed that people who live in Singapore use umbrellas much less often than people who live in Japan. The play features many different performances featuring umbrellas.
The second play as a part of this special performance is actually a collection of 18 short traditional kabuki plays centering on the concept of divorce, including the complicated relationships between men and women.
Even if Singapore audiences might not understand the Japanese language of the kabuki performances, Ichikawa compared kabuki to opera. Even if an opera audience might not understand Italian, German, or whatever language the singers perform in, they can still follow the story based on the emotions conveyed by the actors, the tone of the music, the setting, and other elements. Many Japanese transplants living in Singapore turned out for the last kabuki performance that Ichikawa led in the nation, making it likely that they will do the same for this upcoming show.
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performance art typified by bright, distinctive white makeup with exaggerated features painted on, elaborate costumes, and very distinctive and traditional movements. The art takes years to learn. The actor Ichikawa started performing when he was just 5 years old, completing an apprenticeship while he was still a teenager and becoming an accomplished full kabuki actor after that. Kabuki is enjoying a resurgence of popularity coupled with a nostalgia for the art form’s tradition and beauty, with many traditional kabuki actors and storylines finding prominence in current publications, movies, and other media.
Kabuki theater is just one small but fascinating part of the larger art world. If you’re interested in learning more about art in theater, think about enrolling in an art class through SGArtClass.com. Our gathering of art lessons will help you find the class you’re interested in — whether it’s set design, mural painting, decorative indoor painting, makeup art, or much more. Find out how art transcends all of its different genres — from theater to singing to visual displays — and find your own niche. Our thoroughly screened teachers will be able to help you find your way on your artistic journey, tailoring the lessons to what you’d like to learn and adjusting their instruction to your already existing skill set. Grow as a person while investigating a brand new side of culture.
To read more about the upcoming performance, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/prominent-kabuki-actor-returns-to-singapore.