Rakugo (Japanese Comedy): Performance and Lecture

GEB 233 • CRAIG AUDITORIUM • 5:00 PM

Rakugo (Japanese Comedy): Performance and Lecture

Performance and Lecture by John Marvin

Rakugo 落語 is a traditional form of Japanese verbal comedy commonly staged in theaters.

The performance features a lone storyteller who sits on a raised platform known as a kōza. Utilizing only a paper fan and a small cloth as props, the rakugo artist adeptly portrays a lengthy and intricate comical narrative while remaining seated in the seiza sitting position. John Marvin will share interesting history and background about Rakugo and then perform an excerpt from a Rakugo play in Japanese with English subtitles provided.