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Archived Arts & Entertainment

‘Rashomon’ brings Japanese tale and sword fighting to stage

art rashomanStage and screen students from Western Carolina University will perform the classic drama “Rashomon” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, through Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Hoey Auditorium.

“Rashomon,” a Japanese story and film from the 1950s, is set in feudal Japan and offers four differing accounts of the same event — a rape and murder — as seen through the eyes of four characters. A stylized version coming to WCU is set in the aftermath of a major nuclear event in the future and will pay homage to traditional elements of the Noh Theater of Japan.

The story contains timeless life lessons about human nature, even in the new post-apocalyptic setting, according to D.V. Caitlyn, the play’s director and a stage and screen faculty member.

“The themes of the play remain strongly supported — human nature is what it is, both the admirable and the questionable,” Caitlyn said.

The show features action including swordfights and aerial work by the actors. “The cast itself has been in physical training for several months at least, some since the beginning of last summer in anticipation of this production,” Caitlyn said.

$15 for adults; $10 for seniors, WCU faculty, and students (the day of); or $7 for students in advance.

828.227.7491 or 828.227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.