Noh is a thing of beauty. The sounds, the movements, the acting, and the emotions portrayed: even when expressed mostly in silence, each carry immense power. When Noh Reimagined returned to London, its presence once again drew audiences in.
Its impact is undeniable, and this was never more true than in Basho (Plantain Tree). The piece, written by Konparu Zenchiku (1405–1470), is a beautiful story where the spirit of a banana plant takes the form of a middle-aged woman, expressing the Lotus Sutra’s belief that even plants can achieve enlightenment. This production marks the first time Bashō has ever been performed outside Japan.
The elegance of movement and the range of emotions conveyed are remarkable. Viewers are drawn into a mysterious yet deeply intriguing world, its landscape vastly different from the one inhabited today. It isn’t alien; rather, it feels like stepping into another time, with its own rules and ways of thinking, yet the connection forms almost instantly. Within moments, a different time and space take over, immersing the audience in the intimate surroundings of a home and its occupants. The energy and tension ripple through the air, filling the senses with emotions that mirror those on stage.
The story – warm, tender, endearing, and emotionally charged – grows onstage and within the viewer. Each moment draws the audience deeper into this world, connected through sight, breath, and feeling. Imagine a modern-day drama consumed online through a screen; now imagine that same intensity unfolding just a few feet away, its impact far greater. The silence pulls viewers in closer, deeper, until the emotional resonance lands with full force.
As expected, the costumes in Noh are exquisite, each crafted with meticulous detail. As with much of Japanese art, the beauty lies not in excess or ornamentation but in the purity of simplicity.
This particular Noh play deeply explores the relationship between reality and dreams. Filled with profund metaphors and symbolism, as most Japanese plays are, the ending leaves the viewer with mystery long after its final moments. Without spoiling the ending, we see the monk left surprised.
Was she real, or was she the spirit of the Basho tree? With Basho, the beauty comes with not quite knowing: the perfect thread to keep us wanting to watch it again and again.
Find out more about Noh Reimagined here.
