Japan at the Edinburgh Festival #4
Japan Experience at the Edinburgh Festival (2000)
The following includes reviews of various Fringe shows which were promoted as part of the 'Japan Experience' at the Edinburgh Festival. This year most of the events were at a small venue, the Garage, near the Traverse theatre. The shows were quite well attended, as was the case last year.
Quick Report: 20 Aug 2000:
With star ratings.
The Shakespeare Company Japan: Macbeth (at C Too venue). It's in dialect. See it.****
This is played by a company of professional actors from northern Japan. One of their specialities is to perform in the local Japanese dialect, which makes the dialogue even harder for non-Japanese to follow. The Japanese like Macbeth because of its resonance with their own medaeval period (swords, treachery, murder etc.) and this is done as something of a samurai Macbeth with Duncan as the Shogun. It's a vigorous production which, running for about 1 1/2 hours, seems to include all the well-known scenes, and, if you know the play is easy to follow.
Yoshiko & Butchy. They try hard, but **
Shikisozukuu Excellent mime show. ****
A mime show by a professional company, about a man's daydream. It contains some really good mime acting and some well-staged swordfights. The program notes make much of a story about a girl who set fire to her parents' house so that she could meet a young monk, but there is little to do with that in what one sees.
Tandavaha Dance Company:Well-drilled schoolgirls with brightly coloured costumes. ***
The dancing isn't bad and the costumes and the patterns the dancers make in them are attractive. Looks like a lot of effort went into it. The performers range from about 9 years old to university age.
Chikuzan: Shamisen & singing.
Famous in Japan, don't miss if you are into world music.***
A return visit by Chikuzan, who is famous and fairly unique even in Japan, with her vigorous attack on the shamisen, which has a rather banjo-like sound, and her strange singing. Nowadays, Japanese youngsters are taught Western classical instruments rather than the koto and shamisen.
Joji Hiroata: Well respected musician goes international. ***
Hiroata played Japanese flute, with a supporting ensemble of Western musicians on classical instruments.
Kanawa:
Operatic style adaptation of old Noh play. Japanese musicians.***
The old Noh play has been adapted into a Western-style opera, and performed by music students and others from Oxford (U.K.) The music directors and musicians are Japanese. A CD is available.
Kanawa website
[reviews by G. C.]