Directing Ōta Shōgo's Elements: From Form to Body.

Autor: Lichtenfels, Peter
Předmět:
Zdroj: Performance Matters; 2024, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p115-130, 16p
Abstrakt: This article explores the challenges faced by non-Japanese theater companies when directing the plays of Ōta Shōgo, a renowned Japanese playwright. The plays are rooted in Japanese culture and present difficulties due to their minimal dialogue and unconventional forms. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context and spirit of the text, as well as the impact of Ōta's unique approach to language and time/space on the actors' performances. It discusses the process of creating a play from different perspectives and honoring cultural differences, highlighting the actors' individual contributions and the director's role in synchronizing their movements. The article also examines specific scenes from a play called "Elements" and their meta-level challenges to a Euro-American audience's expectations of time, space, and relationships. It discusses the actors' interpretations and the impact on the audience's experience. The article concludes by discussing the production of "Elements" and the director's observations on the actors' performances, emphasizing their unique energies and cultural backgrounds. It highlights the importance of repetition and form in creating a theatrical reality and draws inspiration from Japanese training and performance. Overall, the article explores the transcultural resonances and similarities in theatrical practices. [Extracted from the article]
Databáze: Complementary Index