DOHA JAPAN’S popular theatre troupe Kengeki Harukomaza staged a colourful performance which showcased the rich culture of the East Asian country at the Katara Drama Theatre on Monday.
The unique event featured Japan’s folk music, the country’s distinctive art of dancing and a parade of Japanese traditional garment — kimonos.
The hour-long musical was especially produced for Qatar as an expression of gratitude from the Japanese people for the Gulf country’s generous support to Japan following the so-called “great east Japan earthquake” which devastated the country. It was first time that the famous Japanese troupe performed in Qatar and the region.
Fifteen actors, led by Ryu Tsugawa, took the centre stage and performed 12 scenes from Japanese theatre acts. The entire programme was likened to a fashion show of the most colourful and sophistically designed kimonos including traditional costumes for festivals and Samurai style. It was also a showcasing of Japan’s dance and music and the high form of art incorporated in the performance.
As the curtain went up, the audience marvelled at the character’s display of kimonos. The first scene titled ‘Ukiyo-e (Japanese Woodblock print)’ featured women of various periods who entertained the crowd with their exquisite movement on the stage. It was followed by engaging scenes named ‘The moon over a rundown castle’ and ‘Flower Festival’ where the performers made use of fans and umbrellas to highlight the acts.
Scene 4 was a powerful dance titled ‘Renjisi (Two Lions) featuring a white lion and a red lion, representing a parent and a baby.
Romance was also a theme portrayed in the show at Scene 5 ‘Escape Journey/The Black Moon’. From a dramatic mood, the show lightened up with the next act which was a medley of folk songs. The charming performers serenaded the crowd and even went down the stage as if engaging their audience with their performance.
The succeeding scenes showcased Samurai-style kimonos while the scene ‘Sakura, Sakura’ featured Japan’s trademark cherry blossom.
To conclude the glitzy musical- cum-fashion show, Tsugawa paraded in an elegant red kimono with an attractive hairstyle.
Japanese Ambassador to Qatar HE Kenjiro Monji, who welcomed dozens of Doha residents to the show, termed the programme as a special production as it put together top-notch names in the Japan’s theatre world. The envoy also underlined the overall concept of the show headlined by men dolled up as ladies and women dressed up as male characters and the display of kimonos.
“This is a significant event of the Qatar-Japan 2012 to mark the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since the beginning of the year we had been hosting series of events in line with this celebration. We are pleased that through these events and activities the understanding of Japanese and Qatari people had been enforced. I strongly believe that Qatar and Japan relationship will be much stronger after this year,” the envoy said.
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