Line 11: |
Line 11: |
| *''Waki'' (lit. "to the side") - the ''waki'' plays the chief character who interacts with the ''shite''. Though often human, and not demon, god, or spirit, and though typically with a less ornate costume, the ''waki'' often has more stage time and more lines than the ''shite''. ''Waki'' roles include the boatman in ''Sumidagawa'', the monk [[Kumagae Naozane|Renshô]] in ''Atsumori'', and the fisherman in ''Hagoromo''. | | *''Waki'' (lit. "to the side") - the ''waki'' plays the chief character who interacts with the ''shite''. Though often human, and not demon, god, or spirit, and though typically with a less ornate costume, the ''waki'' often has more stage time and more lines than the ''shite''. ''Waki'' roles include the boatman in ''Sumidagawa'', the monk [[Kumagae Naozane|Renshô]] in ''Atsumori'', and the fisherman in ''Hagoromo''. |
| *''Tsure'' (lit. "accompanying") - divided into ''wakitsure'' and ''shite-tsure'', the ''tsure'' actors play figures accompanying the main roles. In many plays where the ''waki'' is a wandering monk, for example, the ''tsure'' play other monks accompanying him. | | *''Tsure'' (lit. "accompanying") - divided into ''wakitsure'' and ''shite-tsure'', the ''tsure'' actors play figures accompanying the main roles. In many plays where the ''waki'' is a wandering monk, for example, the ''tsure'' play other monks accompanying him. |
− | *Chorus - Noh features a chorus visible and seated onstage, typically at stage left, facing towards stage right, with a few chorus members possibly sitting against the rear wall facing the audience. The chorus chants narration, as well as often chanting lines for the characters; they also play a variety of instruments, chiefly flute (''[[nokan|nôkan]]'') and several types of drums. Unlike in the [[Edo period]] theater forms of [[kabuki]] and [[ningyo joruri|ningyô jôruri]], Noh does not incorporate [[shamisen]] or other string instruments. | + | *Chorus (J: ''jiutai'') - Noh features a chorus visible and seated onstage at stage left, facing towards stage right. The chorus chants narration, as well as often chanting lines for the characters. |
| + | *''Hayashi'' - in Noh, the musicians, known as the ''hayashi'', sit along the rear wall, facing the audience. They play a variety of instruments, chiefly flute (''[[nokan|nôkan]]'') and several types of drums. Unlike in the [[Edo period]] theater forms of [[kabuki]] and [[ningyo joruri|ningyô jôruri]], Noh does not incorporate [[shamisen]] or other string instruments. |
| + | *''Kôken'', or "stage assistants," handle a variety of tasks including helping adjust actors' robes, handling props, and assisting in onstage costume changes. Insofar as they are not characters present in the world (setting/plot) of the play, they are meant to be ignored by the audience, though they make little overt effort to hide themselves. |
| | | |
| ==Stage Design== | | ==Stage Design== |