By MARISSA SCHOENFELD
marissa@du2.byu.edu
The Subaru Acting Company will conclude its six-city national tour of the Japanese play 'Silence' Saturday in BYU's Pardoe Drama Theatre.
An adaptation of the novel by Japanese author Shusaku Endo, 'Silence' is the story of Christian missionary efforts in Japan in the late 1500's. This was when the Japanese began to reject Western religious ideas to the extremity of hunting, torturing and killing Western priests and those who sympathized with them.
The story is seen through the eyes of a Jesuit priest who goes to Japan looking for a former teacher but instead finds himself being hunted for his beliefs.
Van C. Gessel, Dean of the College of Humanities and a professor of Japanese at BYU, served as the literary and cultural advisor for the production.
He said the play focuses on the struggle the Jesuit priest experiences when his beliefs are put to the test.
'(The Jesuit priest) must reach down into the depths of his own soul and decide whether his faith resides in the outward trappings of religious practice or in the compassionate charity that lies within,' Gessel said.
'Silence' also brings to light many of the injustices and cultural forces in Japanese history. This includes the Japanese feudal system and military leaders wanting to purge Japan of Western influences.
Another interesting aspect of the show is its emphasis on language. Half the cast speaks Japanese and the other half speaks English in the play. The audience not only sees but feels the priests' frustration as they try to communicate.
'Silence' was originally produced in 1995; this is its second run at BYU.
The play is presented in collaboration with the National Association of Japan-America Societies and with funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan and the Performing Arts Japan Program.
'Silence' will be performed twice Saturday. Tickets can be purchased through the BYU Fine Arts Ticket Office, 378-4322.