Kabuki Theatre and Geisha Imagery in High and Popular Western Culture Eisenstein’s grotesques; Memoirs of the Geisha

Kabuki Theatre

Kabuki Theatre Classical Japanese theatre, dance drama. Dates back to early 17th century. First was all female, then became all-male theatre (onnagata, cross-dressed actors). Late 17th-mid 19th century – the “Golden age” of Kabuki: elaborate costumes and makeup, artful performance, accent on drama; specially written plays in place of improvisation.

Kabuki Theatre Mask-like make-up, wigs Exaggerated body language Codified make-up and performance Plays based on history and legends Traditionalism in dance and music Special effects: revolving stage: trap doors, footbridge to the audience Popular subject for ukiyo-e prints.

Make-up conveys emotions

Kabuki Actors

Expressiveness

“Masks,” grotesque in Ivan The Terrible (1944) by Sergei Eisenstein

Love, Heroism, Moral Codes

Dramatic Plots

Kabuki Theatre

Ivan the Terrible Dancing scene Emotions through make-up and lighting

Eonnagata (2009) by Robert Lepage Based on the life of an 18th-cent. French cross-dressing diplomat and spy Chevalier d'Éon. The plot and emotions are shown through costumes, make-up, and dance. Drum music, japanese-looking props (swords, fans, etc.)

Memoirs of a Geisha (dir. Rob Marshall, 2005) Based on a 1997 historical novel by Arthur Golden. Academy awards for: best costumes, art direction, cinematography. Controversy: Casting; Disrespect for geishas and maiko; stereotyping; Inaccuracies in costumes, dances, cultural facts, and daily life details.