This image features a Japanese actors wearing an Shinto Priest costume for a Kabuki theater performace. In Kabuki, masks were worn by every actor. They were used to conceal the actors identity, as Kabuki actors were often of low social status and not considered sutiable for public appearances. The mask symbolized the character’s identity, emotions,… Continue reading Entry by Gianna Maurer: Kabuki: Ref.: player as masked Shinto Priest

Jacobean English theater was a style of theater that was commonly performed in playhouses during the mid 1500’s to the mid 1600’s. The plays were often written in elizabethan english and embodied the spirit of english society at the time. They represented a lot of the topics of interest at the time, like the nature… Continue reading Entry #2 By Alan Vara:The Enchanted Island, Before the Cell of Prospero – Prospero and Miranda (Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 1), Benjamin Smith (British, active 1786–1833), Stipple engraving and etchingEntry #2 By Alan Vara:

The image above displays a significant form of theater for the Japanese throughout the 18th and 19th centuries called Bunraku. Bunraku formerly known as ningyo joruri – “ningyo” meaning puppet and “joruri” being a form of chanted narration, is theater primarily focused on puppetry. Instead of conventional ways of actors being people, Inanimate Puppets took the… Continue reading Entry by Maylis Berron:
Chikamatsu’s Love Suicides at Sonezaki
“Bunraku Theater” 18th to late 19th Century

The engraved portrait of Richard Brome, published by William Richardson, is an important historical artifact. This provides a visual representation of the English playwright and poet, Richard Brome. Brome was a prominent figure in the Jacobean and Caroline eras, and is known for his comedic plays and poems. The portrait itself is an engraved print,… Continue reading Entry 2 by Mohammed Omor: Engraved portrait of Richard Brome (c. 1590-1652)