Perhaps the most abstract show in the Basil Twist Festival is “Dogugaeshi,” at Studio Theatre. Its name is derived from a 17th century Japanese stage technique, in which painted sliding screens (fusuma-e) depicted landscapes, interiors or animals. The screens were split at the center of the stage and pulled apart by unseen puppeteers to reveal new paintings behind them.
Twist retains the essence of the ancient technique but alters it to tell a contemporary story. In part it is his story, of discovering dogugaeshi and traveling to Japan to learn more about it. Originally, the fusuma-e were only backdrops for rural puppetry theaters on Awaji Island, where puppet shows were put on in outdoor theaters lit by candlelight. But eventually the screens became so elaborate that they became an art form in themselves.
It Twist’s presentation, a small, horizontal stage is created, set back from the audience. A variety of different scenes are shown: images of the ocean; small puppets seen against multi-colored skies, sailing the seas or living in humble surroundings. There are dragons seen from many perspectives. There is a wonderful full-sized shaggy white fox puppet. The last time he appears, he does a long and graceful dance, flipping over and wagging his scruffy tail.
| Onstage |
| Dogugaeshi |
| Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW |
| When: Through April 22 |
| Info: $35 to $60; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org |
Twist filmed old women of Awaji recalling the performances of dogugaeshi in their youth: “It’s beautiful,” one woman says. “It always ends with a view of Mount Fujiyama.” Yet it’s not all Mt. Fuji and flowers and calm oceans. In addition to dangerous dragons, there is a scene of annihilation, in which the painted screens fall down and rip. The screens — broken and torn or pristine and stunning — begin to take on personalities of their own.
If you speak Japanese, you’ll have a definite advantage, being able to understand Yumiko Tanaka’s narration. If you don’t, you can simply treat “Dogugaeshi” as though you’re in a beautiful, haunting dream and enjoy its revelations for their own sake.
