Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The newly-commissioned noh drama RIKYU-ENOURA at Japan Society is transporting

• By drediman
• November 8, 2017
• No Comments

Hiroshi Sugimoto’s newly-commissioned noh drama “Rikyu-Enoura” at Japan Society.

Last year, I immersed myself in the tradition of Japanese noh when the highly-regarded Kanze Noh Theatre graced New York to partake in the 2016 Lincoln Center Festival. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Experiencing noh requires a different kind of engagement from its audience members, particularly those of us weened on Western theatrical conventions. Noh’s spare aesthetic in all aspects  – in plot, text, movement, design, music – and sedate pacing would try the patience of you average New York theatergoer. However, with the willingness and openness to unlock its mysteries, noh can be a singularly spiritual, time-bending, and, at times, even heart-racing experience.

This past weekend, I once again happily lost myself in the transporting world of noh when I attended the hypnotic and altogether riveting new noh drama Rikyu-Enoura. The piece, commissioned to commemorate the 110th anniversary of New York’s Japan Society, is the creation of acclaimed Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. At its core a ghost story, Rikyu-Enoura tells the story of Sen-no-Rikyu, a 16th century tea master who was forced to commit suicide by his master.

What’s astonishing about Rikyu-Enoura is how authentically – both in construction (Mr. Sugimoto’s work is breathtakingly concise) and performance (the performers tapped a bottomless well of feeling and history) – it registers. Indeed, the piece would have fit in inconspicuously at the mentioned mini-Kanze noh festival last year. Now that’s high praise.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RIKYU-ENOURA
Theater / Dance / Music
Japan Society
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed