Kelaniya Uni students take on Kyogen theatre
View(s):The Drama Theatre and Image Arts Unit at the Kelaniya University presented a Kyogen Theatre Workshop and play in partnership with the Embassy of Japan. The programme was presented as part of the ‘Cool Japan’ initiative by the Wisdom of Japan Executive Committee. Kyogen (literally ‘mad words’ or ‘wild speech’) is a form of traditional Japanese comic theatre which originated around the 14th century. It is often of a very short length and feature few characters, leaning towards a more slapstick form of comedy.
Kelaniya University students on stage with their version of a Japanese play. Pix by M. A Pushpa Kumara
The session began with an introduction to Kyogen by Yukio Ishida of the Mansaku-no-Kai Kyogen Company, ably translated by Professor Patrick Ratnayake who at one point quipped, “I’m only translating, mind you,” when the translations proved to be too much of a rib-tickle to a massive audience of university students. Mr. Ishida explained the premise of Kyogen, noting that traditionally, the play is viewed by an audience seated on all sides and that artificial lighting was rarely used. Mr. Ishida also noted that the stage was sacred ground in Kyogen theatre, and could only be touched by bare feet. Kyogen actors are strictly prohibited from venturing off stage at any point of the play.
As a theatre practice, Kyogen is a highly exaggerated form of expression relying largely on mimicry and drawn out syllables. Professor Ratnayake in his own speech drew on the similarities between Kyogen theatre and Sri Lanka’s own, saying “it’s easy to find common ground as the two countries share many things.”
Simple plot lines, such as that of Busu (The Delicious Poison) were staged by students of the Nomura Mansaku Arts School. Busu is the story of a master (Ren Naito) and his two manservants Taro Kaja (Hiroharu Fukata) and Jiro Kaja (Kazunori Takanao).
The master leaves a covered pot for his servants to watch while he is out, warning them that the contents are lethal to those that tamper with it. The two curious manservants are soon tempted by the aromas wafting from the pot and consume its contents. What grisly end will they meet? Fortunately Busu ends happily, with the manservants only reprimanded for their greed. But the colourful costumes, hilarious acting and almost musical dialogue of the actors brought to the stage something very different from the norm.
Students from the university also presented two plays in similar vein; ‘Waha’ (Posion), a localised version of Busu directed by Priyankara Ratnayake and ‘Kimbul Kandulu’ (Crocodile Tears) directed by Professor Patrick Ratnayake.
