The final programme of Noh Reimagined festival, packed with three extraordinary performances.

The classical Noh masterpiece Kurozuka (Black Mound) – also known as Adachigahara –is one of three kijōmono or onibaba (‘demoness’ Noh pieces) that use the iconic Hannya female demon Noh masks. In a story redolent with natural imagery and Buddhist philosophy, an old woman hosts a travelling monk for the night but, in anger, she transforms into a fierce demon when he disobeys her orders not to see her bedroom.

Thick & Tight will give the world premiere of the full performance of Two Moths in Real Time following the highly acclaimed preview performance at the Barbican Centre early this year. The ambitious piece is inspired by the rhythms, structure, choreography, and metaphysical philosophy found in Noh and Kyogen.

Through the study of queer culture and queer ecology in the UK and Japan, Thick & Tight consider how the term ‘unnatural’ is often applied to behaviours of the LGBTQ+ community to create divisions around who belongs in our interconnected world. (Costume design by Tim Spooner.)  (UK Premiere)

The Noh performers will come together with Thick & Tight and Piers Adams, one of the greatest recorder players of our time and the founder of a baroque quartet Red Priest, for Hengenka (meaning transformations )an exquisite Noh music drama by nohkan flautist Isso Yukihiro which was premiered at National Noh Theatre in Japan in 2017. The music is crafted flawlessly, integrating elements of traditional Noh repertories, the countermelody of baroque music, Noh chanting and improvisation.  Along with Noh actors’ elegant movement, Thick & Tight dances to the rhythm of Sambaso (ancient divine dance praying for a bountiful harvest) as two moths in another world. It is a dreamy music drama you will enjoy on a high summer evening.  (UK Premiere)

Watch Natural Behaviour, a film made by Thick & Tight following a recent visit to Japan.

Noh Reimagined 2022 is supported by:

Agency for Cultural Affairs, government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Arts Council England, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, The Asahi Shimbun Foundation

In partnership with The Japan Foundation.