Description

Kabuki Othello is a lyric (haiku-like) rendition of Shakespearees story, Eastern style. Othello, an Ainu (Caucasian native) war hero in Japan; Iago, Othelloes officer and husband to Emilia; and Cassio, playboy officer who idolizes Othello, all revolve around the delicate, sure-minded Desdemona, who captures Othelloes heart. Emilia prepares the bride, and a wedding night dance makes Iago, who lusts for Desdemona, burn. So all four eroll togethere on a wheel of fate when Iago, who loathes Cassio, manipulates all his epuppetseeluring drunken Cassio into a comic brawl that angers Othello and dangling Desdemonaes love gift from Othello (a precious fan woven by his mother) with half-heard innuendos that convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Tortured mad, Othello is transformed into a demon of jealousy. When Desdemona is etriede for infidelity, Emilia realizes Iagoes treachery and tries to reveal it, but Iago stabs her. A chorus of Koken guide Othello in his sad deedestopping Desdemonaes breath by winding her lengthening hair about her throat. When it is done, Othello stands as ethe ghost that is alive.e Area staging. Approximate running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.