Rashomon
by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Michael Kanin, Fay Kanin

Name: Rashomon
Brand: Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
SKU: 9780573614651
Rating: 3.94 (93 reviews)

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

90 minsExterior SetElaborate/High-Volume CostumesAmerican

Awards & Recognition

Tony Award

Nominee! 3 Tony Awards, 1959

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the engaging nature of the play, often mentioning its clever writing and strong character development. Many find the original story's exploration of perspective intriguing, while the comedic elements also receive high praise. Overall, it's recognized as a memorable and excellent adaptation of Akutagawa's work, despite a few minor criticisms regarding print size and binding durability.

Engaging and entertainingClever writingStrong character developmentIntriguing exploration of perspectiveSmall print in some editions

Synopsis

Drama Fay Kanin and Michael Kanin Characters: 6 male 3 female Exterior Set

The famous stories of Akutagawa were adapted for Broadway for Claire Bloom Rod Steiger Akim Tamiroff and Oscar Homolka.

The wife of a Samurai officer is assaulted and her husband killed by a roving bandit.

Contradictory versions of what happened are reenacted at the trial by the bandit the wife and the dead husband who speaks through a sorceress.

Each version is true in its fashion.

Press Reviews

"Delicate and dynamic, sensitive and savage, packed with color, suspense and seamy wit. A triumph of stagecraft."
— New York Mirror

"Rashomon is pure art of the theatre. Out of a legend, it conjures a mood. No one need despair of a commercial theatre that can deal in elusive materials with so much delicacy, expertness and charm."
— The New York Times