PUHI — Keeping a 600-year-old comedic form alive and prospering is a challenge that the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Theater and Dance group is up for. Kyogen, a comedy/satire, is a traditional Japanese form of entertainment that
PUHI — Keeping a 600-year-old comedic form alive and prospering is a challenge that the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Theater and Dance group is up for.
Kyogen, a comedy/satire, is a traditional Japanese form of entertainment that is still performed today. Julie Iezzi, professor of theater at UH, wants to bring Kyogen across the state instead of just catering to the same crowd on Oahu.
“Kyogen isn’t as well known, but it’s quite accessible. And it’s a form that can be really be used to appeal to modern audiences,” Iezzi said. “One of my goals has been to try to spread the word and let people know about this. And because of the new play, we want to blend contemporary Japanese styles with today’s issues.”
Iezzi and her students are bringing their latest production, “Power and Folly,” to the Performing Arts Center at Kauai Community College at 4 p.m. today.
The free production includes three short shows in one. This Kyogen production pokes fun at the upper class using satire to humanize above-the-law figures in society.
“This production, in particular, has a theme of power and folly,” Iezzi said. “It brings these people down to size by exposing them so we can not only laugh at them, but laugh with them.”
