The two-day festival explores the art of Noh, the iconic theatrical tradition that originated in fourteenth-century Japan. This edition will shed light on the unique dramaturgy of Mugen (‘phantasmal’) Noh, in which the main actor (shite) appears as a ghost in the dream of a travelling monk performed by the supporting actor (waki). The ghost then tells the tragic story of its past life, expressing deep regret and lamentations, hoping to find peace.
Top Noh performers from Japan will work with innovative British artists and neuroscientists in time and genre-defying collaborations to examine the surreal artistic elements of Noh.
The festival celebrates the ability of Noh to create otherworldly figures that transcend time and space. The cutting-edge British artists,
The piece will explore Mugen Noh in the light of neuroscience, joined by all Noh performers.
Noh: Space in Between-Leon Michener
Leon Michener is known as the architect of the Klavikon system. For the performance, using a piano, he will sculpt the feedback created by amplifying the piano’s soundboard, applying the space between the piano and the audiences in Hall Two as an ascetic counterpoint to the Noh musicians.
Snow – Clod Ensemble
Award-winning performance company Clod Ensemble present a new piece inspired by the restless spirits in Noh theatre.
Featuring the voice of legendary New York performer Peggy Shaw and the flute of virtuoso Yukihiro Isso, words and music unlock the world of a traveller who finds herself thrown into darkness under the snow. In this poetic monologue, sung and spoken word are fused as our traveller searches for a reconciliation with the ghosts that haunt her.
Composed by Paul Clark
Written by Suzy Willson with Peggy Shaw
Directed by Suzy Willson
Lighting by Hansjörg Schmidt
Echoes and Callings – Wiebke Leister & David Toop.
Joined by Yukihiro Isso on nohkan flute, Wiebke Leister’s and David Toop’s performance ‘Echoes and Callings’ combines projection, collage and sound improvisation to evoke the out-of-body existence of angry female demons. Seeking revenge and release, they are telling tales of silence and manifestation, pain and embodiment, stillness and fury.
Photo performance by Wiebke Lester
Music by David Toop
Nohkan flute by Yukihiro Isso
https://youtu.be/UfxowI7_bvQ
article posted by:Akiko Yanagisawa, Mu:Arts