Le théâtre japonais d’aujourd’hui et sa traduction : un état des lieux

Abstract

Corinne Atlan reminds us of the existence of two separate branches of Japanese theatre : the traditional forms (kabuki, no, bunraku) that are indigenous to Japan itself, and the modern form (shingeki) that emerged in the 19th century drawing on western influences (Strindberg, Ibsen, Chekov). She then identifies the main characteristics of Japanese contemporary theatre, which developed out of shingeki, and its major trends from the 1960s to the present day. Having described the specificities of Japanese writing for the theatre, she provides an overview of its translation in France, noting that its presence is still sparse in terms of both publications and stage productions and that Japanese plays still have a reputation for exoticism or hermeticism. In conclusion she explores ways of improving this situation to provide a more global, appropriate and clearly identifiable vision of contemporary Japanese theatrical production.