Sun 11/5 19:00
Divadlo kjógen / The Kyôgen Theatre
A unique showcase of the Japanese comedic genre Kyōgen, entertaining audiences since the 14th century!
Divadlo kjógen (The Kyôgen Theatre) is a professional theater ensemble dedicated to the creative translation, production, and performance of Japanese Kyōgen comedies in Czech since 2001. This stage form, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is brought to life by Divadlo kjógen—the only European theater ensemble consistently performing Kyōgen in its native language. The group was founded by Pardubice native, Czech playwright, director, and mime Hubert Krejčí, along with Japanologist Ondřej Hýbl and Japanese master Shime Shigeyama of the traditional Okura school in Kyoto.
Kyōgen (translated as "Mad Words" or "Skillfully Embellished Speech") is a comedic theater form that, like Noh theater, evolved from the Chinese Sarugaku plays. It flourished in the mid-14th century and has been continuously performed ever since.
For the Pardubice audience, the ensemble will present three farces from its rich repertoire.
Kaki Jamabushi (The Mountain Ascetic and the Persimmon Thief) is one of the shortest, simplest, yet most frequently performed Kyōgen plays. A mountain ascetic, returning from a pilgrimage to sacred sites, grows hungry, climbs a tree, and starts stealing persimmons. However, he is caught by the orchard owner. Amused by the ascetic’s clumsy attempts to hide in the tree, the orchard keeper decides to play a trick on the unsuspecting monk.
Inabado (The Inaba Temple) tells the story of a timid man who decides to divorce his wife and prays to the gods at a temple for a new bride. However, his wife intervenes, disguises herself, and cunningly tricks him into accepting her once again as his "heaven-sent bride." When she reveals her true identity after the wedding toast, the fateful jest leads to an unexpected conclusion.
Boshibari (Tied to a Pole) relies on situational humor, but the overall atmosphere is enriched by numerous songs whose technical refinement adds elegance to the otherwise drinking-themed play. This play remains one of the most popular and frequently performed Kyōgen plays in Japan, with all Kyōgen-performing families including it in their repertoire.
www.kjogen.cz
Admission: 260 CZK (Students and disabled persons: 50% discount at the door)
Early bird: 200 CZK (until April 21, 2025)
The performance will be in Czech.
Předprodej akce
This event is part of the Textconnexion 2025 project, financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the Pardubice Region, and the City of Pardubice, in cooperation with the association Taje z.s.
