Event
Sorya! Possessed by a Fox
This October Theatre of Yugen will present Sorya! Possessed by a Fox. Designed as an opportunity to perform selections from the CompanyâÂÂs classic Kyogen in English repertoire and new experimental Kyogen pieces at its home venue NOHspace, Sorya! is also a way for the Company to rotate its acting ensemble into the active repertoire. Tracing its history back over six hundred years where it developed as a companion to Noh, Kyogen is a dialogue-based theatrical art form that expresses natural human emotions and emphasizes "comedy." Kyogen has a universal appeal, as the majority of stories are derived from mundane subjects, displaying a slice of life through the use of dialogue, mime, song and dance. Theatre of Yugen is excited to present Fukuro Yamabushi (Owl Mountain Priest), a play cleverly addressing the delicate and complex theme of growing up as it, more than any other play in the repertoire, marks the beginning of a Company MemberâÂÂs journey through the characters of the Kyogen repertoire. The role of the Younger Brother is typically the first role a new Company Member will perform with the Company, and as such the Ensemble has a great deal of fondness for this play and is always excited to welcome a new member into the fold. This year, Junior Company Member Ryan Marchand, who made his Theatre of Yugen debut in the 30th Anniversary Kyogen-style production of Candide, or Optimism, and Kanako Abe, will perform the role of the Younger Brother!
Also included in this yearâÂÂs Sorya! is a fully staged workshop presentation of the first act of Volpone, the Fox a tale of greed and egotism. Sorya! is directed by Theatre of Yugen's Artistic Director, Jubilith Moore and will be adapted by Lluis Valls with the Company.
Fukuro Yamabushi (Owl Mountain Priest)
An eminent mountain priestâÂ"a âÂÂyamabushiâÂÂâÂ"is approached by a supplicant who is an old friend of his. The supplicant explains that his younger brother has been acting strange ever since returning from a trip to the mountains, where he brought down an owlâÂÂs nest.
The priest accompanies his friend home for the purpose of performing a ritual of healing. It turns out he will need to exorcise the spirit of an owl! Like most mountain priests in Kyogen, the yamabushi is very sure of his knowledge and his powers, but like most mountain priests in Kyogen, he must come to question his own wisdom.
Even small children are likely to enjoy this delightful farce. Owl Mountain Priest is a hoot!
Volpone, The Fox
With Volpone, the Fox, Theatre of Yugen continues its long history of bringing the traditional theatre forms of Japan to an American audience in an accessible, educational and enriching performance. Ben Jonson was the muck-raker of the Elizabethan era. His Volpone is a dark satire leaving little doubt about his incredibly repulsive philosophy of the world as clearly divided into the rogues and their dupes. Kyogen shares this same habit of addressing regrettably mundane subjects with universally understood characters, such as the clever servant or the hypocritical priest. This transcontinental and timeless fellowship, born out of a common desire to promote the destruction of the philosophical, social and religious codes of the day, will make for a delightful and surprisingly relevant marriage.
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LocationNOHspace
2840 Mariposa
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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