Traces of the Orient come to Highland Lake

HIGHLAND LAKE, NY — The Theatre of Yugen (San Francisco, CA) will present two plays at the NACL Theatre at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. The first is “Shuron (A Religious Dispute),” a classic Japanese Kyogen play, performed in English. The second is “Llanto,” a Fusion Production created utilizing the theatrical sensibilities of Japanese Noh Theatre. The theatre group will also present a workshop on Sunday, October 5 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In “Shuron,” two traveling priests agree to travel together as they return home from their individual religious retreats. Flush with pride for his own sect’s teaching, each attempts to show the enlightened path to the other. When a religious debate turns into a duel to convert the other, the prayers fly fast and furious, but who will be saved?

In “Llanto,” the passion of flamenco is filtered through the powerful restraint of Noh in this adaptation of “Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias,” Lorca’s famous ode to a fallen matador who lived life to it’s fullest and never flinched when the horns came near. It is directed by Lluis Valls.

The workshop, titled “Deep Time,” will be led by the joint artistic director of San Francisco’s Theatre of Yugen and open to the public. The workshop is a practical investigation into Nohgaku (Traditional Japanese theatre forms of Noh and Kyogen). The focus will be on the theatrical musicality of the performer’s body in space and time. Participants will work to re-calibrate their understanding and use of time by exploring the audacity of listening.

Tickets for the October 4 show cost $15, and are free for NACL members. Registration for the October 5th workshop costs $45. NACL membership, which costs $50, entitles the holders to see any show at NACL for a full year.

For more information visit nacl.org or call 845/557-0694.