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 DECEMBER
2004
Cowell Theater
Borrowing from native Japanese folk and children’s tales
and told using 10 actors playing as many as 10 roles each,
Tales of the Echo reminds us of the universal themes
that bind us together in our humanity – an important
story in these times of conflict around the world.
The Yamabiko
Theater Group, who first performed the story in 1975 in
Tokyo, brings it back to the US a second time with stops in
Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, once again challenging
American audiences’ notions of Japanese myths and stereotypes.
It incorporates various elements of the Japanese performing
arts – Noh, Kabuki, Butoh, and Takarazuka – using
minimal sets and costumes. Instead, the Yamabiko ensemble
focuses on dialog, motion, and music.
Tales of the Echo, performing at the Cowell Theater
on December 16 and 17, is one result of the many collaborations
between group founder Tadahiko Katayama and author Sawako
Ariyoshi. It has been performed in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai
and other Asian cities. Among the many accolades it has received,
Tales of the Echo was awarded a Premier Performance
Award by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and the
Ministry of Health and Welfare and received a Special Recommendation
from the Central Children’s Welfare Council.
For more information, see the
December 16 calendar listing. For ticket information,
please call the Fort Mason Center Box Office at (415) 345-7575.
– Ronald Tierney
Photo: Michael Kim
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