”Okuni\\\”(Kabuki dancer)
\\\”Dance in male role!\\\” This was the beginning of Kabuki Theatre. \\\”A female dancer who served God, Okuni founded Kabuki in 16th century in Japan. Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theatre.\\\”Ka=\\\” sing\\\”\\\” Bu\\\”=\\\”`dance\\\”\\\”Ki\\\”=\\\”act\\\”.
Okuni was the founder of Kabuki theatre in 16th century Japan. Gathering up the female outcasts and misfits, particularly those involved in prostitution, Okuni gave them direction, teaching them acting, dancing and singing skills in order to form her troupe. Okuni\\\’s troupe became the top dance group of its time. However the success did not last long.While she struggled with her colleagues, lover, her love of dance and beauty, she came up with a new idea\\\”Dance in male role!\\\” This was the beginning of Kabuki Theatre. \\\”Okuni\\\” include the concept of\\\” Chi\\\” and contemporary theatre based on the Kabuki( Japanese traditional theatre) actress\\\’s story \\\” Okuni\\\” written by one of awarded Japanese writers Sawako Ariyoshi. We hope that you enjoy the cultural, dance and theatre mixed performance and the bar at Cockpit Theatre. Contemporary dance, song and drama appear in this Kabuki theatre performance!!
Japanese choreographer Akiko Ono work with English peformers, designers and theatre directors to create this piece.
For more information, please see the Cockpit Theatre website and Akiko Ono’s Dance project website
Supported by: The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and The Cockpit Theatre