No, Really, I Am an American

I went to Kyoto last night to see a production of The Taming of the Shrew — funny how it takes living in Japan to really motivate me to see a Shakespeare production. Perhaps it’s because it’s not as easily accessible here…

Anyway, on with the show…

The theatre itself was more like a high school’s proscenium theatre. The pre-set was incredibly simple with a soft wash over the stage. The actors were already in places, “talking” softly on-stage.

Now, I admit, I don’t know this show very well, so I was duped. A chap wearing a David Beckham jersey was in the audience talking with people rather loudly. He seemed brash and so not the theatre type. He asked ridiculous questions and seemed to embarass most of the Japanese audience. As the time approached curtain, we were introduced to Sly. I had had a feeling that he was part of the show. I thought it was done rather masterfully.

The tech of the show was severely lacking, incredibly simple sets and costumes but the acting absolutely made up for it. I felt like I was at a madrigal dinner with all the songs that they sang in transition and in the scenes — such amazing harmonies and arrangements. The movement was also well done, although, knowing a little about it, how could the audience not see that it was choreographed. (Some of the punches and the like elicited some gasps from the audience)

I think perhaps the craziest thing to me was the audience itself. I felt so incredibly educated. Aside from the fact that the majority of them were Japanese who probably understood about thirty percent of what was going on, but the English speakers also seemed unfamiliar with theatre AND Shakespeare. (At least, that’s how it seemed to me) From where I was sitting, I could overhear some of the people around me and some of the things they were saying amused me. The guy in front of me was falling asleep me thinks. And the thing that REALLY threw me was the fact that they don’t clap. At first, I thought perhaps I was crazy but I’ve been conditioned to clap after the first half, y’know, right before intermission. Not a single person did. It was way weird. After so long being surrounded by contemporaries and usually knowing half the cast, I becamse accustomed to being the least knowledgable about Shakespeare and theatre. (Again, this is just from where I was sitting, maybe the people who were sitting closer understood what was going on, too.)

I got a close up look at their lighting equipment — they had color changers. Lucky bastards. I had wondered about the lack of gels in the ellipsoidals and then I found out why.

The show was done in comedia dell’arte costuming. It was pretty cool. I liked the masks. I really do wish they had been able to do more with tech, but since it was a travelling company, I could see why they didn’t.

It was definitely worth all the money I spent on it. Damn, I miss theatre.