Storytelling

Storytelling 

Storytelling is believed to be the roots of all theatre, a community’s way of passing on cultures, stories, and traditions of the past, it's one of the many types of variety shows. Many believe that storytelling originated with the Indians and Native Americans. In storytelling all of the fundamental elements of theatre are contained; a performed, audience, characters, and narrative. With a narrator who takes on voices and fully embellishes the character that they are performing. Through the stories told, lessons our ancestors learned in history and past mistakes are passed on to us. In many African cultures storytelling is a very important way to educate while providing entertainment to the community. 

The narrator's imagination has to be creative and strong; especially when song, dance, drumming, and acting can be interwoven into performances. The narrator is the most important person involved in storytelling because a good storyteller will capture our attention take on the characters in a believable fashion. 

Often a narrator will change the plot, characters or different aspects of the story in order for the younger generation to better understand and relate to the lesson being told.

 

Some of the famous stories ever told are: Hansel and Gretel, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Rumpelstiltskin, and Rapunzel.

An example of a modern day story teller is the stand up comedian Gabriel Iglesias, who uses storytelling with well known characters and sound effects in his acts. Below is a video in which Gabriel tells a story about a road trip he was on with some friends. Gabriel Iglesias is known for using the same characters in all of his performances; his girlfriend, his girlfriend's son Franky, Phillipe, to name a few.

The stories told can be those of a wide variety, from personal stories, to solo stories, and stories of the community. 

"Road Trip" -Gabriel Iglesias. 2 May 2010. 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtk5Ej-xLsM>.

Inc, Fluffy. Gabriel Iglesias. 2009-2011. 2011 <http://www.fluffyguy.com/>.

"Storytelling and Cultural Tradition." Orenstein, Mira Felner and Claudia. The World of Theatre. Boston, Mass.: Pearson Education Inc., 2006.

Kyogen

Kyogen is one of the four classic forms of Japanese theater. It is the classic comical form of theater that is typically performed between the serious acts of Noh, in order to give the audience some comic relief. Kyogen originated in the early 17th century. Kyogen unlike Noh, stresses the use of dialogue. Both Noh and Kyogen originated from the same humorous forms of Sarugaku. The two art forms share a stage, yet are opposites in the way the performance is conducted, the masks, sounds, etc.

Kyogen, like other Japanese art forms contains only men actors. The actors do not wear elaborate costumes or make up.  

The characters involved with Kyogen are mostly nameless, this art form us involved in everyday situations. Kyogen does involve masks, but not all of the time; unlike they are incorporated in Noh; infact the actors performing typically show their emotions with their own faces. 

Kyogen performers wear unique masks, there are 20 different types and styles of masks; each representing a different character and meaning. The masks cover everything from ugly woman, old people, and even non-human characters.  Some non human characters depicted include ghosts, plants, demons, and animal spirits. All of the masks involved in the art are intended for the audience's laughter and enjoyment. For example, the mask below is known as "Japanese Mosquito".

The following video shows a short example of a typical Kyogen play. Kyogen is performed on a simple, open stage with a wood floor which is said to enhance the gliding motion of the footwork. At the back of the stage there is a pine tree, or a painting of a pine tree; which represents long life and good fortune. This pine tree is the only "set" that is used in Kyogen performances. There are often 2 pillars on the stage also, supporting a pagoda style rood, these mark each corner of the stage.

There are 2 schools of Kyogen that still exist in Japan.

A popular theme is Kyogen theater is the relationship between servant and master. 

Famous Kyogen plays include 2 characters: Niwatori Muko("The Rooster Son-In-Law") and Bakuchi Juo ("The Gambler").

Works Cited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz7IHn0a4fM&noredirect=1

http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/noh/en/index.html
http://worldartswest.org/main/discipline.asp?i=33

http://www.siec.k12.in.us/cannelton/fmfjapan/kyogen.html
http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=712&catid=20&subcatid=131