World Theater Traditions - Starting Reserach

From Monday
1. Rakugo “sit down” theatre (Japan)
A. Source: https://www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00045/
B. One actor in a kimono sitting in the middle of the stage with limited props; does all characters
C. Practiced since the Edo period (1603–1868) and is still popular today (there’s even an anime about it)
D. Usually comedic or lighthearted family drama
E. Vocabulary terms
a. rakugoka = the performer (professional)
b. ochi/raku = the punchline of the performance
c. neta = material (script)
F. Video: https://youtu.be/ybUa1JoGTUQ
2. Medieval mystery plays (England, France, Germany)
A. Source: https://www.britannica.com/art/mystery-play
B. Bible stories
C. Started out as performances on church grounds by churchmen in Latin
D. Guilds started popping up in the 13th century that brought them to the general public
E. Performed on pageant wagons in England (with dressing room)
F. Proper stages in France and Italy with hell on one side, heaven in the other, and earth in between
G. Stories changed after multiple retellings and satire was added in
H. Faded out at the end of the 16th century
a. Church no longer supported them because they weren’t accurate
b. People were more interested in plays by traveling companies from Italy
c. Renaissance scholars thought they were trash
I. Video: https://youtu.be/fMAFgSnDlRY
3. Khayal al-zill shadow puppets (Egypt)
A. Source: http://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue/199902/shadows.of.fancy.htm
B. Khayal al-zill means “"shadows of the imagination" or "shadows of fancy”
C. Started as early as the founding of Cairo in the 10th century
D. Popularity peaked in the 13th and 14th centuries; performed throughout the Nile Delta
E. Big part of the holy month of Ramadan
F. More allegorical stories with Islamic roots
G. Told in parts over multiple nights to keep people coming back
H. Portable stages made from wood and canvas
I. Foot-tall shadow figures made from stiff, thin-stretched translucent camel-hide
J. Mounted on wooden rods that let you manipulate the limbs
K. Video: https://youtu.be/7EfGjd5iC-A

For homework:
1. Kyogen video (https://youtu.be/oKfriCzdjSg)
A. Clear, exaggerated movements
B. Loud voices, use of verbal sound effects
C. Physical/visual comedy
D. Limited set and props
2. Talchum dance (https://youtu.be/5cgO53tMBmI)
A. Large ensemble wearing bright red masks
B. Loud music; percussion particularly stands out (to help dancers keep the rhythm)
C. Colorful outfits with super long sleeves (like holding a ribbon)
D. Shout-singing
3. Kathakali (https://youtu.be/E1c37mFAKG0)
A. Separate singer and actor (like Julie Taymor’s Oedipus Rex...)
B. Dancer is super dressed up with heavy facial makeup while the singer is basically the opposite
C. Low droning singing
D. Intense facial expressions have to tell most of the story on the actor’s part
E. Arm and hand movements are exaggerated but calculated
F. Mostly stays in the center of the stage