Ong cites Lear, his avant-garde interpretation of Shakespeare's tragedy flavored with elements of Indonesian martial arts, Noh drama and Beijing opera -- and performed in different languages by a multi-national cast, half Singaporean, a good part Japanese, with a sprinkling of other Asians.

CNN: GAINING CULTURAL CAPITAL

Others made him far older, dating from the Athenian drama and the Japanese noh plays, via the commedia dell'arte and Charlie Chaplin.

ECONOMIST: Bip

Between the forest and the building is a pond on which sits a massive 19th-century Noh stage, the setting for outdoor presentations of classical drama and music several times a year.

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