Ancient Japan will collide with the revolutionary avant-garde in a new NIDA festival exploring the compelling world of Japanese theatre.Tearing the Mask: An Exploration of Japanese Performance brings together a season of free films, panels, talks and demonstrations that will uncover the incredible diversity of Japan’s theatrical landscape.
NIDA’s Head of Acting Jeff Janisheski said the festival gives audiences a unique opportunity to explore two very different forms of Japanese theatre � Noh and Butoh � and discover their influence on theatre in Australia.
“This is an incredible insight into Japan’s theatre art as it has developed over the centuries � from the elegance and refined beauty of traditional Noh theatre, to the intensity and raw nature of avant-garde Butoh dance.”
Noh is an ancient traditional Japanese theatre form combining music, dance, mask and costume to create a powerful experience. Featuring slow movement, poetic language and highly stylised expression, Noh has been influential in Western theatre helping performers from all backgrounds achieve a focus and discipline in their work.
Butoh started in 1959 as part of the new wave of Japanese avant-garde art, and has since become an international phenomenon. Today there are Butoh choreographers and companies all over the world. Butoh artists vary widely in their aesthetics, but performances often focus on slow and organic movement; choreography that is created from a stream of poetic images; and intense and strongly visual performances.
Leading artists, including international guests Richard Emmert and Yukio Waguri, will be sharing their stories and helping new audiences discover this window into Japanese culture.
Many festival events will take place on an actual Noh stage � a traditional raised, wooden platform � which NIDA’s design students are reconstructing to fit NIDA’s Atrium venue. NIDA’s Noh Stage is also a part of Australia’s theatre history, as it was originally used in the Adelaide Theatre Festival in the late 1980s.
Other guest speakers include Lynne Bradley (Zen Zen Zo), Tess de Quincey (Butoh teacher/choreographer), Yumi Umiumare (Butoh Cabaret) and writer of Noh in English Allan Marett (Professor Emeritus at University of Sydney).
Find out more and register for your free tickets.
