My name is Nori and I am from Japan.
I'm directing the Kabuki.
Our group, Za Kabuki, started in 1976 by a lecturer at ANU called Shunichi Ikeda.
We started as a street performance first,
but in the 1980s and 1990s we gradually
became bigger and bigger so now we have an
annual performance every year in a proper theatre with
authentic costumes and makeup.
In my first year I saw a poster of the kabuki performance
and I went with my mom and my sister.
Yeah that's how I found out about the kabuki group.
Studying a Japanese major
I sort of was joining all the clubs on campus that were even vaguely
relevant and this group looked really fun so I thought I'd join up.
In traditional kabuki, all the actors
are male but here we cross-dress.
So girls do the guy's part
and the guys do the female part.
The most amusing thing about Za Kabuki is
the voices and the dressing. Messing around dressing up as
girls if you're a boy and vice versa and sometimes
the other way as well.
Our kabuki is almost the same as the traditional kabuki.
The main difference is our kabuki is quite Australianised.
We put lot's of english lines
and we put some Australian humour so the local audience
can understand and can enjoy.
"Sorry we have a minimum EFTPOS of a hundred ryo."
"Oh."
"If you don't go now, she'll be gone and you'll never see her again."
In kabuki traditionally, there's a thing called a hanamichi which is
actually part of the stage that runs through the audience
and all of the main characters enter and exit on that stage.
For the first scence we come down the stairs which is
right next to the audience and also for the dance we go up to the audience and dance with them.
For the audience it feels like they're
actually a part of the scence so I think they'll have a great time.
Our group is ver culturally and linguistically
diverse environment.
The cast are mainly students studying Japanese here
A lot of them are Australian local students
but at the same time we have some international students.
This season, nine months project we have a strict
due date. We have to complete our performance
by the performance day.
We charge the audience, so we need to deliver
something worth the entrance fee.
I think it's an ideal mock workplace experience
A very good opportunity for all the students
to improve communication skills or interpersonal skills.
Well I have to say ANU Kabuki is probably the most cohesive social group
I've seen in a university so it's just nice
to be around the people, play around, acting speak some Japanese.
It's cool to act as a man and also
getting to know other people who love the same thing.
I would recommend everyone to come and watch the kabuki performance
because it's just gonna be a fun night!
I think is great to share this Japanese
traditional culture within not just ANU
but the wider Canberra community.
I am myself didn't know that much about kabuki before
so it's good for myself as well.
I think the best place to start to join a student group is at market day
because everyone's out there and they're all trying to get your attention
and they'll let you know what's going on and if you miss
market day just keep your eye out around the faculty
because you'll see posters and events coming up.
So if you wanna join a club like Za Kabuki
you should look out for posters and announcements and also visit our website.