Kabuki The Ugly Duckling Analysis

In a traditional Kabuki production of “The Ugly Duckling”, how are theatre elements used to enhance characterization?

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater that takes us back to the Edo Period while enriching us with its impressive forms of art. From elaborated costumes, dramatic make-up, unconventional wigs and exaggerated expressions portrayed by the actors that convey an essential message to the audience, Kabuki claims its conventional form of theater being one the three finest traditions in Japan along with NOH and Bunraku Theater. Therefore, in order to produce this tradition to its authenticity, certain requirements have to be made to fully understand how the characters in this tradition are evoked and how the different

One of the main characters in the story is mother duck, which is considered a hero because of her constant effort to keep away the other farm animals and their insults against the ugly duckling. In the production, mother duck would be seen wearing a white base of make-up and red, light blue and green lines to represent the passion she had for her children and her patience when dealing with the other villains in the play. The most significant villain in the story is the old duck that would represent the color black. This is because she represents the fear the other farm animals had towards her as she was the main leader of the group and the one that took decisions in the farm. The other two villains of the story would be the turkey and the rooster. The turkey would use the color brown because he is selfish and doesn’t want the ugly duckling to stay in the farm because he will take too much food and space. Last, the rooster would represent color red because he is often rude and cruel to the ugly duckling making him feel unworthy and unwanted. These techniques help characterize an actor’s appearance and identify the type of personality they