HA NOI (VNS)— Katsura Utazo will perform Rakugo, a traditional Japanese one-man show, in Ha Noi and HCM City on Wednesday and Saturday.

Rakugo originated in the 16th century and became established as an art form during the Edo era (17-18th century). It is always performed by one artist, who sits still in one place and acts out stories with a comic style and structure.

In his performance, Utazo will act out funny Japanese stories with Vietnamese subtitles including The Idiot Yotaro; Long and Short and The Devil of Death. The Devil of Death is an adaptation of Godfather Death from Grimms' Fairy Tales.

Utazo was named the highest Rakugo master in 2005. Since then, he has been enthusiastically sharing the fun world of Rakugo with Japanese spectators as well as audiences in other countries.

He gave his first Vietnamese performance in 2010.

The shows will be held at Radio the Voice of Viet Nam (VOV)'s Theatre at 58 Quan Su Street, Ha Noi, at 8pm on October 24 and at HCM City's Student Cultural House at 643 Dien Bien Phu Street on October 27.

Free tickets are available at 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi and 15 D5, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District and 453 Huynh Van Banh Street, Phu Nhuan District in HCM City.-VNS