The Audience
Because Kabuki is an interactive experience the audience was unlike any other. It was common for audience members to called out the names of their favorite actors and throw small gifts at them as they appeared throughout the play. Actors, in turn, would interrupt the play to address the crowd. The audience also ate and smoked throughout the show. They ate what the theater served which was typically a boxed lunch, sushi, and other traditional Japanese cuisine.
Another unique aspect of Kabuki is that the plays start in the morning and ended in the evening, but spectators would often come only for specific scenes. Because of this there was constant coming and going in the audience.
Another unique aspect of Kabuki is that the plays start in the morning and ended in the evening, but spectators would often come only for specific scenes. Because of this there was constant coming and going in the audience.
This image shows the active audience moving, standing and talking during the performance. This was not considered rude, simply apart of the Kabuki entertainment experience.
This image shows the active audience moving, standing and talking during the performance. This was not considered rude, simply apart of the Kabuki entertainment experience.