The Heart of Kyogen 2017

Lecture / Performance

Baruch Performing Arts Center

55 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010 (25th St. bet. Lexington & 3rd Aves.)

Friday, September 29th, 2017    7:00 pm

The acclaimed Ohkura School Kyogen actors Noriyoshi Ohkura and Daijiro Zenchiku are returning to New York!

Having delighted audiences with their performances and laughter in 2016, this year Mr. Ohkura and Mr. Zenchiku will perform the Kyogen classics, “SHIMIZU” (Spring Water) and “KAGYU” (Snail).

“SHIMIZU” is about a servant who cannot be bothered to get the water needed for a tea ceremony and makes up a story about a demon appearing at the spring...

“SNAIL” tells the improbable events that ensue when a servant agrees to bring back a snail that is an elixir of long life. The servant has no idea what a snail is and assumes a sleeping priest he encounters is the snail he is seeking...

Mr. Ohkura and Mr. Zenchiku will preface the performances with a lecture on the history of Kyogen and demonstrations of Kyogen acting techniques, stage effects, and sound use, making the performance readily accessible to everyone. (The program will be presented in Japanese with English supertitles.)

Kyogen is traditional Japanese comic theater. Kyogen dates back to the 14th century and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001.

 Supported by J.C.C. Fund of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York.