Dulaang UP stages a Kabuki play

For its 27th University theatre season, Dulaang UP presents the premiere staging of Namiki Gohei’s Kanjincho (The Subscription List), a Kabuki play translated in Filipino by Jerry Respeto and directed by Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa and Jina Umali.

Kanjincho is a classic Kabuki play that shows the interplay of loyalty and courage. The presentation stars Yoshitsune’s strongman bodyguard Benkei, who with his quick wit and courage saves his master and his attendants in a life-or-death situation. This kabuki play is a favorite among Japanese, because it gives full play to such sentiments as loyalty to one's master, compassion to the lowly, and feudal style-ethics among the inhabitants of the period. The cast includes Neil Ryan Sese, Romnick Sarmenta, Lex Marcos and the Dulaang UP Ensemble.

This much-awaited production also serves as the culminating activity of two kabuki workshops organized earlier. A lecture-demonstration workshop on the performance elements and techniques of the Kabuki was conducted by Mr. Fujima Toyohiro, a Kabuki Buyo master-teacher form Japan. Naugatan Musician, Mr. Mochizuki Takinojo organized lecture-demonstration workshop on the nagauta – kabuki dance music with an ensemble consisting of several shamisen and singers, drums and flute (nõh-kan),

Kanjincho is Dulaang UP’s participation in the Philippine-Japan Festival 2003, through the generous support of the University of the Philippines, Center for International Studies, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Japan Foundation Manila Office and the Japan Information and Cultural Center.

Join us as we journey through the creative path of introducing Japanese life and culture to Filipinos. Kanjincho will run from February 28 at 7:00pm, March 1 and 2, 2003 at 3:00pm at the University Theater (Villamor Hall), UP Diliman and March 14 at 8:00pm, March 15 and 16, 2003 at 2:30 at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo), Roxas Boulevard, Manila. For inquiries and registration, please contact Dulaang UP at 9261349 or Center for International Studies 9205301 local 6930 or e-mail us at kanjincho2003@yahoo.com.