December2,3,4, 8,9, 10, 11 , 1977 Kennedy Theatre/ University of Hawaii THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE presents by Kobo Abe Translated and directed by James R. Brandon Scene design by Howard Brewer Costume designs by Sandra Finney Lighting design and technical direction by Mark Boyd Sound by Robert Bethune Assistant director Kathryn Yashiki CAST: (in order of appearance) FUJINO, the animal keeper . ..... ... ............... .......... Dennis Nakano PROFESSOR .................................................... David Furumoto SON 'S WIFE . .. .... .. ... ................................ .. .......... Miki Kim PROFESSOR 'S SON ................. ... .... ..... .. ... .. .. .. Richard Williams MALE UEH ........... ... .. .. .... .. .. .......... ..... ....... ... Ralph Hirayama FEMALE UEH ....................................................... Mary Bishop FEMALE STUDENT ......... ............... ...... ......... Elizabeth Wichmann ASSIST ANT ........................................................ Barry Knapp MAID . .. .. .... .. ... .... ... .... ....... .... .. .............. Tina Marie Goff The play takes place in the professor's anima I spirit laboratory, Japan, 1977. ACT I Morning. A ten minute intermission ACT II Early morning, the following day. DIRECTOR'S NOTES Kobo Abe is said to be a great lover of science fiction. He also has been called a writer of detec­ tive stories. It is easy to see why, looking at our play tonight. The hero ofT HE ANIMAL HUNTER, the Professor, entertains a fantastic, pseudo-scientific belief in something called "animal spirit." In order to test the power of the animal-like Uehs to cure human illness, he sets up, in his laboratory dungeon, an elaborate spirit experiment (which you will have to sitthrough most of the play to see). He exhorts those around him to eatonlyfood "with the letter 'i' in the name," since, as we all know, spirit travels through the "eye." Did his father turn into a raven and fly off into the sky? The Pro­ fessor thinks it likely. Certainly THE ANIMAL HUNTER takes on the likeness of a whodunit with the Professor leaping through the twists and turns of the plot, searching out the fraud he is convinced is being perpetrated against him. At the same time, scholars link Abe- who is best known in the West for his novel and film THE WOMAN IN THE DUNES- with Kafka and Beckett, in his concern for the absurdity of the human condition. And, indeed, Uehs who become human and humans who become Uehs should be absurd enough for anyone. My own delight in the plays of Kobo Abe springs from the fact that on the Abe stage important philosophical issues are treated comically and absurdity is accepted as a serious matter. Over sake one evening, the playwright confided that his favorite author is Lewis Carroll and THE ANIMAL HUNTER was written in a Carrol Ionian spirit of nonsense. Perhaps this explains much. For what is nonsense if it is not taking a normal situation, pushing it to its extreme until it becomes ridiculous, and then continuing to pretend everything is still normal? Or as Abe might say, the normal is turned upside down through logic. THE ANIMAL HUNTER is the most recent of the playwright's twenty-three plays. It was directed by the author at the Seibu Theatre in Tokyo, in 1975. It is also, in typically paradoxical fashion, one of his oldest, representing the culmination of a theme that has preoccupied him for more than twenty years; what is human about man? He created the humanoid Uehs in the second play he ever wrote, in 1955. This play was revised in 1967. And THE ANIMAL HUNTER is a wholly new play about the same creatures. It is with some trepidation that the University Theatre is attempting this first production of THE ANIMAL HUNTER outside Japan. The play requires a host of theatrical devices. It makes heavy physical and emotional demands on the cast. And it poses considerable difficulties in interpre­ tation, for the successful production must manage to work on several levels simultaneously: as fast-moving detective story, as peevish family quarrel, as intellectual spoof of the scientific mind, as theatrical romp, as Aesopian fable, and as inquiry into the meaning of existence (to name a few). But that is our problem, not yours. Whateverthe play may "mean," we trust that it will not bore you and that it may stimulate you to ponder our sadly comic (or comically sad?) mortal condition . Mercy of mercies, it may give you pleasure. Although the University Theatre regularly presents traditional Asian plays on the Kennedy Mainstage, THE ANIMAL HUNTER is the first contemporary play from Asia to be part of our regular season . We hope others will follow soon . James R. Brandon The University Theatre's production of THE ANIMAL HUNTER is an entry in THE AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL X presented by THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION produced by AMERICAN THEATRE ASSOCIATION sponsored by AMOCO OIL COMPANY KENNEDY THEATRE'S NEXT PRODUCTIONS YOU AND ME is a varied dance program presented by MFA candidates Catherine Clemett and Emily Adams. Ms. Clemett will be reconstructing Doris Humphrey's PARTITA (music by Bach) and choreographing two new works, TWO WOMEN (music by Roger Callaway) and KNOXVILLE- SUMMER 1915 (music by Samuel Barber). Ms. Adams will be present­ ing an original dance-drama HOROSCOPE RAINBOW, a production designed primarily for high school and college audiences (music by contemporary composers from 1967 -1977). This Dance Concert will be presented January 20, 21, 22 and 25 through 29 . One of Shaw's most smashing satires on British Society, PYGMALION pits the irre­ pressible Professor Higgins against the world's most famous Cockney flower girl, Liza Doolittle. Shavian wit and eloquence come to full play in this extraordinary battle of the sexes. Terence Knapp, in a special appearance, will perform the role of Professor Higgins. Directed by Glenn Cannon, PYGMALION will be performed February 10, 11 , 16, 17, 18 and 19 on the Kennedy Theatre Mainstage. PRODUCTION STAFF Stage Manager: Sarah Moon. Light Crew: Mary Lewis, Danny Anderson, Tim Hayes. Stage Crew: Steven Cardenas, Teresa Johnston. Set Construction : Charles Walsh, Chris Markiewicz, Tim Hayes, Sarah Moon, Gerald Kawaoka, Dennis Nakano. and students in Drama 1 01 , 241 , 297. Properties: Sarah Moon, Jeanne Elser. Costume Construction: Annette Hoffman, Crew head; Margaret Angell, Ellen Boggs, Ada Akaj i, Gayla Gould, Lisa Webber, Brenda Renfroe, and students in Drama 256 and 297. Costume Crew: Ada Akaji, Crew head; Gayla Gould, Gwynn Lee, Keala Kobashigawa, Lisa Webber. Make-up: Charles Enos Martin, design; Sarah Rice, Barry Knapp. Photography: Francis Haar. Program : Margaret Yamate (University Relations), Sunny Bratt. Publ icity: Sunny Bratt, Lynne Nakamura. House Manager: Nancy Nanney. Box Office: David Furumoto, Carol Honda, Theresa Neilson, catherine Stuart. Ushers : Moanalua High School Drama Class, Waipahu High School (NHS), Kalani High School (NHS). Iaiani Drama Group, St. Louis High School Drama Class, Roosevelt High School (NHS), Farrington High School (NHS). Leilehua High School (NHS). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Carl Wolz, Steve Robinson, the Honolulu Zoo . FACULTY : Edward Langhans, Chairman; Glenn Cannon, Director of the Theatre, Carl Wolz, Director of Dance; Takaka Asakawa (on leave), Mark Boyd, James Brandon, Dennis Carroll (on leave), Bernard Dukore, Sandra Finney, John Hu , Tamara Hunt, Betty Jones, Terence Knapp, Roger Long, Richard G. Mason, Yasuki Sasa . LECTURERS : James Hutchison, Jacqueline Kellett, Fritz Ludin. STAFF: Art Caldeira, Takeo Miji, Nancy Takei . GRADUATE ASSISTANTS: Emily Adams, Robert Bethune, catherine Bratt. Howard Brewer, Catherine Clemett, Daniel Ettinger, Annette Hoffman, Mary Lewis, Rexford Reynolds, Douglas Rosentrater. The set design for THE ANIMAL HUNTER by Howard Brewer is done in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. Nouce: Smokmg is not allowed m the audttortum nor may photographs or recordmgs be made durmg the performance. Food and beverages are not permitted m the auclt­ to rtum. THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE 1977-78 SEASON Peter Beagle's THE LAST UNICORN*- MFA/ Mary Olsen September 7, a. 9, 10. 11 , 16, 17 and 1a. Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA- directed by Terence Knapp October 14, 15, 16. 20, 21 , 22 and 23. Sean O'Casey's THE SHADOW OF A GUNMAN* - MFA/ Beverly Farrington November 4, 5, 6, 11 , 12 and 13. PATCHWORK. for ch ildren and adults- directed by Tamara Hunt November 11 , 12 and 13. PENCA AND TOPENG BABAKAN- sponsored by the College of Continuing Education November 1a. Kobo Abe's THE ANIMAL HUNTER - directed by James Brandon December 2, 3, 4 . a. 9, 10 and 11 . A FESTIVAL OF KOREAN PERFORMING ARTS - sponsored by the College of Continuing Education January 13. DANCE CONCERT* - MFA/ Emily Adams and Catherine Clemett January 20, 21 , 22, 25, 26, 27, 2a and 29. George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALION - directed by Glenn Cannon February 10, 11 , 16, 17, 1a and 19. MUMMENSCHANZ- sponsored by the College of Continuing Education February 24 and 25. DANCE CONCERT - directed by Carl Wolz March 10, 11 , 12, 16, 17 and 1a. MAJET MIRING - Javanese shadow play in English performed at the Music Building Courtyard Directed by Roger Long; musical direction by Hardjo Surilo April14,15 and 16. SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY- directed by Terence Knapp April 23. W illiam Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT- directed by Terence Knapp April 2a. 29, and May 4 , 5, 6 and 7 . *Kennedy Laboratory Theatre In addition to the above scheduled events, KUM U KAHUA. an organ ization of drama students, produces locally written plays throughout the year. SERVING HAWAII FOR SEVENTY YEARS 1907- 1977 .