Comedy of medieval Japan to be performed at Bates

The Department of German, Russian And East Asian Languages and Literatures, in conjunction with the Asian studies program at Bates College, presents Kyogen: Comedy of Medieval Japan to be performed by the International Classical Theater from Lawrence, Kansas, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Alumni Gymnasium at Bates College. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

The production’s director, Andrew T. Tsubaki, professor of theater and film and East Asian languages and cultures at the University of Kansas, will introduce the performance.

Tsubaki has taught at the University of Kansas since 1968. Born and raised in Japan, Tsubaki completed his Ph.D. degree in theater at the University of Illinois. He specializes in Japanese classical theater forms and practices Ki Aikido, a Japanese martial art. Under Tsubaki’s direction, a number of Japanese classical works have been performed at the University of Kansas. Two previous productions, one of Kyogen in 1988 and another of Noh and Kyogen in 1992, toured the northern and eastern United States. He also has staged Kyogen programs in Greece.

The program is also sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Bates College Multicultural Affairs, Sangai Asia and the International Club.