While on a recent trip to London, I had the pleasure of seeing the musical Six in a relatively small venue where the enthusiasm was contagious. In a different, yet equally expressive way, while living in Tokyo I often attended kabuki performances with my 96 year old landlady who had been a fan and regular since before the war and knew the proper kakegoe– the timed shouts from the audience at key points in the performance. Much like audience callbacks in performances of The Rocky Horror Show (a production I’ve also seen on multiple stages and in multiple languages), kakegoe requires a thorough knowledge of the production and its conventions, not recommended for first-timers!
But there is a whole world of live theater waiting for expatriates wherever they end up assigned, much of which can be enjoyed for its spectacle even without a knowledge of the language. Here are some of the best theater experiences the world has to offer:
China:
Perhaps with the start of Lunar New Year you’ve seen dragon or lion dancers in your local Chinatown. That is just a taste of the color and exuberance of Chinese theater such as the Peking Opera, which uses music, costumes, martial arts, mime, and acrobatics to tell folk legends. The costumes are some of the most elaborate in the world, and can trace their origins back to 14th century court dress.
Japan:
While Kabuki is the most well-known of Japan’s theater cultures, it has several others of note. Noh theater is often considered the opposite of Kabuki- while Kabuki is bright, emotional, and was the pop culture of its day, Noh is minimalist, restrained, and often imparted Buddhist spiritual messages. A more recent addition to Japanese theater is Takarazuka, an all-female musical revue that performs everything from classic tales to adaptations of Hollywood movies and anime.
United Kingdom:
London’s West End is another notable location for shows. Aside from an ever-changing roster of musicals, it also has the distinction of the longest-running play in the world; Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which has been performed since 1952. While in London, theater-lovers should also make a pilgrimage to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and see one of his plays performed “in the round,” as it was meant to be.
USA:
New York City is home to Broadway, the most iconic destination for musical theater in the world. Every year over 12 million people attend over 11 thousand performances, and there are even more opportunities when considering the smaller off-Broadway theaters where talent often gets a start. Twice a year the city offers Broadway Week with two-for-one ticket deals.
Theater is a wonderful way to experience culture, and Living Abroad has the information to help assignees find a local show and destress with pure entertainment. Just check the Social Environment section for the Local Entertainment Events article and prepare to be swept away in a performance.
Written by Kate Havas, GMS-T, Content Manager
