London Opening Of NOH Theatre of Japan: Tonight at the Aldwych Theatre - the Noh Theatre of Japan make their first appearance in this country. They are the third company in the 1967 World Theatre Season, presented by the Governors of the Royal Shakespeare Company at their London theatre, the Aldwych. Peter Daubeny, now a consultant director of BSC, is artistic director of the season, which this year contains a record number of eight companies, five new to London, in a total of fifteen plays. Noh is the oldest existing form of living drama and is based on the three elements of a song, dance and mime. The definitive texts of Noh plays were established at least six centuries age and the majority of them are still acted in conditions similar to their earliest performances. The productions to be seen at the Aldwych will conform as nearly as possible to those staged in Japan itself but the total running time will be two-and-a half hours instead of the five to seven hours normally seen in Japan. During their two-week visit, the Noh Theatre will give two separate programmes, each containing two Noh plays and one Kyogon, a comic piece possibly even older than Noh. Programme One (10-15 April) consists of the Noh plays. The Robe of Feathers and The Ground Spider, and the Kyogen, The Tied-Servants: Programme Two (17-22 April) consists of the Noh plays, The Chrysanthemum Child and The Lady Aei, and the Kyogen, The Mosquito Wrestler. All female roles in the plays are taken by male actors. Photo shows Eight-year old Hisaharu Hashicka the youngest member of the company - get last-minute adjustments to his make up by his mother, prior to rehearsals for The Chrysanthemum Child.
Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches.
Photo is dated 04-04-1967.
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