Yuriko Doi, Founder, Theatre of Yugen

As one of the very few classically trained female practitioners of the Japanese Noh and Kyogen theatre styles, Yuriko Doi has focused on bringing innovative East-West fusion work to Western audiences.

She founded San Francisco’s Theatre of Yugen in 1978, and her signature work has involved the blending of other cultures with Japanese traditional theater styles in such works as Blood Wine, Blood Wedding, a Kabuki-Flamenco collaboration; Frankenstein,  in partnership with the experimental playwright Erik Ehn; and her groundbreaking Noh Christmas Carol, a company staple for many years.

Now retired as the Founding Artistic Director of the company, Doi returns to Theatre of Yugen this month to perform in the Company’s annual Sorya! Festival. The festival marks the 35th anniversary of the company, which is now led by Artistic Director Jubilith Moore.

“Sorya” is a Japanese exclamation used to express excitement or delight, and it perfectly describes the spirit and activities of this annual festival. Each year, the company creates and adapts short works  in the Kyogen style performed by a primarily female troupe of actors.  Most of the performers have been studying Japanese performance styles with the theatre for years.

Tracing its history back over six hundred years in Japan, Kyogen is a style of comedy that satirizes Japanese folk tales and feudal customs. It is rare for women to perform Kyogen at all, and this year’s premiere of the physically demanding Kyogen play Kawakami (The Headwaters) will feature Yuriko Doi performing the leading role of a blind husband whose marriage is tested by the gods. Kawakami is an original Theatre of Yugen bi-lingual English/Japanese translation created by the members, and this will be the first time Founder Doi has performed with the Company since 2008.

Theatre of Yugen’s annual Kyogen festival is also designed to teach audiences about this historical theatre form. Each performance includes a brief explanation of Noh, Kyogen, and the traditional stage,  as well as a demonstration of how the traditional costumes are worn. The plays are performed in traditional Japanese costumes with minimal lighting and a traditional matsubame, or pine-tree backdrop as the set.

Performers for this year’s festival are Sheila Berotti, Sheila Devitt, Yuriko Doi, Alexander Lydon, Karen Marek, Jubilith Moore and Lluis Valls.

Performance Dates:
Program A
Kaki Yamabushi and Kawakami – Sunday, March 16; Saturday, March 22; and Monday, March 24 – Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.; Monday at 7 p.m.

Program B
Kaki Yamabushi and Shimizu – Saturday, March 15; Monday, March 17; Sunday, March 23 – Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.; Monday at 7 p.m.

Location:  All performances are at NOHspace, 2840 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Tickets:  $10-15 with special prices of $1 for children under 12
Available online at:  www.brownpapertickets.com/event/540007