Entertainment · Books & Arts · 3 hrs ago
Two young Kabuki actors prepare for London performances
Ichikawa Somegoro VIII and Onoe Tatsunosuke III will take Kabuki to London for their first international tour next year.
They are due to perform three classic works at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Jan.
30 and 31, marking Kabuki’s first London performances in 17 years.
The programme puts dance and visual style at its centre, rather than focusing mainly on plot.
Audiences will see elaborate costumes, a fiery red lion-spirit wig and a quick costume change performed on stage.
Tatsunosuke will take female roles, a Kabuki tradition in which male actors portray women, and will wear a specially made wig weighing about three kilograms.
The performances showcase the craft behind Kabuki, including the work of wig makers and costume artisans.
The actors say they hope to introduce the art form and traditional Japanese dance to a global audience.
Ichikawa Somegoro VIII and Onoe Tatsunosuke III are preparing for their first international tour, with performances at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre in January.
The two actors will present three Kabuki classics, marking the art form’s first London performances in 17 years.
The shows will feature elaborate wigs and costumes, along with an onstage costume change.
Tatsunosuke will perform female roles, while Somegoro and Tatsunosuke will appear together in one of the plays.
- Who
- Kabuki actors Ichikawa Somegoro VIII and Onoe Tatsunosuke III.
- What
- They are preparing to perform three Kabuki classics in London. The shows will feature elaborate costumes, wigs and stage effects.
- When
- January; performances are scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31.
- Where
- Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
- Why
- Somegoro said the aim is to present Kabuki’s beauty and unique aesthetic. Tatsunosuke described the performances as a chance to show traditional Japanese dance on a global stage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ichikawa Somegoro VIII performed in "Yuki no Shakkyo" at Tokyo’s National Theatre.
Somegoro and Tatsunosuke posed for a photo at Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theatre.
The actors are scheduled to perform at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
- Performers
- Ichikawa Somegoro VIII and Onoe Tatsunosuke III
- Venue
- Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
- Performance dates
- Jan. 30 and 31
- Number of plays
- Three Kabuki classics
- London return
- First Kabuki performances in London in 17 years
- Wig weight
- Tatsunosuke’s flower-decorated wig weighs about 3 kilograms
What people are saying
Our aim is to present the beauty of Kabuki and its unique aesthetic
Rather than focusing on the story or plot, this type of performance is more about the beauty and aesthetics of the production and how the actors physically express that beauty
I see this opportunity to perform at the globally famous theater as a chance to show traditional Japanese dance on a global stage
In terms of the basic form, the hairstyle is almost always the same, but the 'mage' topknot has about 100 different styles