ABOUT THE TALK

KABUKI (歌舞伎) is often defined as a form of traditional drama of Japan performed with highly stylized action, dance and song. One may wonder if creativity exists anymore in this art form that is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

Can there be creativity in heritage?

Kabuki began as an unorthodox art form four centuries ago and developed into the tradition that we know today. Are we looking at something that is only fit for the museum shelf or something more dynamic? What is in Kabuki that we can enjoy or even relate to?

During the past two decades, Singapore has seen visiting performances by big names in Kabuki, in the likes of Onoe Kikugoro, Nakamura Hashinosuke, the late Bando Mitsugoro and last year, Ichikawa Ebizo.

They presented well-known traditional pieces from the Kabuki repertoire such as the Kabuki dance “Sagi Musume” (The Heron Maiden) and the spectacular “Renjishi” (Dance of Two Lions), a century-old adaptation from a Noh play. Is there anything new and what kind of innovative productions of Kabuki has there been in recent years?

In this talk, Ms Yow Wei Meng will share with you how to appreciate this extraordinary and multi-faceted art form as well as an update on recent developments through video clips and slide presentation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Ms Yow Wei Meng graduated from the National University of Singapore with a B.A. (Hon) degree and the Nanyang Technological University with an M.B.A. (Accountancy) degree.

She was awarded a scholarship by the Waseda University to conduct post-graduate research in Comparative Theatre – comparing Kabuki with Chinese Opera, under the late Professor Toshio Kawatake at Waseda University in mid-1980s.

During the past 25 years, Ms Yow has been an avid speaker on Kabuki, Chinese Opera and a comparison of both art forms. She translates surtitles from Chinese to English and Japanese for stage productions of Chinese opera and lyric opera and also facilitates talks and workshops by directors and performers from Japan and China.

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WHERE IS JAPAN CREATIVE CENTRE (JCC)?

Is this your first time to Japan Creative Centre? Follow the map below to Japan Creative Centre now.

Address:
Japan Creative Centre
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372
Tel: +65-6737-0434

Getting to Japan Creative Centre

By Public Bus:
Bus services: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174E, 502, 502A, 502B (Alight in front of Delfi Orchard)
For latest information on bus routes and fares, please refer to SBS Transit.

By the MRT:
You may also take the MRT to the nearest MRT station, Orchard (NS22).
Train fares, travel times and route maps are available on the SMRT website.

Driving to JCC:
Nearest parking is at Orchard Hotel, Delfi Orchard and Orchard Parade Hotel.