Above, the poster for "Utsutsu." Click on the image to see it full-size."1850s Japan - nearly the end of Edo period. The villagers at Akenobe were suffering from the tyranny of the heartless Governor, who controlled the people by power and fear. The Governor had been overtaxing the villagers and taking the daughters to work for the Yakuza's brothels when they could not pay..."
The above is an excerpt from the Utsutsu (Genesis: The Blind Swordsman) official program.
I attended tonight's performance of Utsutsu and enjoyed it, despite being hobbled by two sprained/strained feet (long story). But I made it!
The play was presented tonight in English. The play will be performed tomorrow night in English and in Japanese on November 26, 27 and 28 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. (near Vermont Ave.) in Los Angeles.
The sets were sparse, but versatile and the acting was very good with lots of swordplay action. Yuu Asakura appeared as a prostitute in the play and her death scene was impressive. She was able to "die" with her eyes open and was able to keep them open for over a minute without blinking. (She told me afterward that she struggled a couple of times.)
It was a bit long, but, fortunately, there is a 15-minute intermission.
Attending a Japanese play was a new experience for me, but it was well worth attending. If you are in Los Angeles tomorrow night or the aforementioned dates when the play is presented in Japanese, by all means go see it.
For ticket information, go to http://www.itsmyseat.com/Utsutsu.html
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