George Lucas, founder of
Lucasfilm and original creator of the now-widely sprawling space opera
franchise “Star Wars,” has long revealed that his work on the first film (1977)
of the eventual series contains influences on “jidai-geki,” or Japanese period films
set in the days of the samurai. The 1958 Akira Kurosawa movie “The Hidden
Fortress” is cited as inspiring the initial viewpoint of “Episode IV” being the
droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, rather than the main character Luke. Japanese audiences
are aware of course of the inspiration and a strong “Star Wars” fandom can be
found in the country. Recently, they even adapted scenes from the “Sequel”
trilogy into Japanese stagecraft.
Comic Book Resources reports that a traditional theatre troupe in
Japan has adapted key scenes from “Star Wars” Episodes VII and VIII – “The
Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” – into a three-act kabuki play. The
production, entitled “Three Shining Swords,” was a one-off performance done
Thursday, November 28, at the Tokyo Persimmon Hall. The play is divided into
three acts, each depicting a key scene in the two released films of the “Star
Wars” sequel trilogy. The sinister protagonist of the play is Dark Force user
Kylo Ren of the First Order, corrupted son of Han Solo and Leia Organa.
Being a kabuki play, “Three
Shining Swords” transplants the “Star Wars” scenes into a stylized Japanese
setting, with appropriately renamed characters. The narrative has three acts: “Blade
to the Father” references “The Force Awakens” when Kairen (Kylo) kills his
father Hanzo (Han) under the influence of the Dark Side. “Blade to the Lord”
skips to “The Last Jedi” when Kairen kills his master Snowuku (Snoke) and
battles his bodyguard alongside Rei (Rey). And lastly, “Blade to the Teacher”
sees Kairen fighting his former mentor Lukuu (Luke), driven by rage to kill him
despite realizing his enemy is not physically present.
The kabuki production was
directed by veteran genre performer Ichikawa Ebizo XI, who served as director,
choreographer and performer of the part of Kylo/Kairen. In interview he spoke
of how his interest in space, the setting of “Star Wars,” was inspired by his own
father. Of the themes of the movies adapted into his play, Ebizo remarks how
fear and anxiety have “sharpened” the powers of good and evil for a final
confrontation against each other. Like many fans, he is excited to see how it
all concludes in “The Rise of Skywalker” next month.
The whole performance of “Three
Shining Swords” was recorded and uploaded to YouTube by Disney Japan on their
official channel. Note that it will only remain viewable until December 5.
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