EBIZO ICHIKAWA XI’S JAPAN THEATER 2015
PUBLISHED August 14th, 2015 12:53 pm | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
On the 17th and 18th of October, Ebizo Ichikawa XI will be returning to Singapore to debut two never-before-seen kabuki plays, Uwanari and Mimasu Kuruwa no Kasauri, in his self-produced show Ebizo Ichikawa XI’s Japan Theater 2015.
Born in 1977 into one of Japan’s oldest kabuki families, Ebizo Ichikawa is a household name in his native country. A gifted performer with an extraordinary range, Ebizo brings a larger-than-life presence to all his performances. This October, one of kabuki’s brightest stars will rise again. Ebizo’s bold creativity has breathed new life into one of Japan’s oldest art forms, as he works tirelessly to make kabuki accessible to all, regardless of age or background.
Ebizo Ichikawa’s Japan Theater 2015 is also the most recent of Ebizo’s trailblazing efforts to bring kabuki to an international audience. His international performances have garnered him both critical acclaim and awards, a highlight being the French Art Culture Medal in 2007.
About The Plays
Uwanari is one of the famed Kabuki Juhachiban, a set of eighteen kabuki plays. This old classic has not been performed in a hundred years and will finally be reborn in Singapore. Uwanari, which means “second wife” and “jealousy”, is a torrid tale of jealousy, hate, and love. A man divorces his wife and marries another woman. While the newlyweds enjoy marital bliss, the jilted wife fumes and plots her revenge on them. Passions will flare and dark schemes will bloom, through impassioned dance.
Mimasu Kuruwa no Kasauri is a brand new play created for Singapore. A charming well-liked umbrella seller earns brisk business until he’s beset by ruffians who want a piece of his profits. However, their attempt at intimidation backfires when the umbrella seller reveals himself as Ishikawa Goemon, Japan’s greatest thief and outlaw. Ishikawa Goemon soundly beats the thugs and sends them running, and is lauded as a hero by the entire district.
Show Timings
17 October 2015, Saturday
3pm & 7:30pm
18 October 2015, Sunday
3pm
This event takes place at MBS on the 17th and 18th of Oct 2015.
