Ng does a fine job conveying a range of emotions through the thick kabuki makeup. When Sabu tells Otatsu she is too beautiful to help sneak Isonojo out of Osaka she fearlessly disfigures herself. Fujinami portrays Otatsu with a searing intensity. Woman were barred from performing kabuki for centuries so it may seem appropriate that Wormser plays one of the major male roles. It's a distracting oddity otherwise.
Tradition is preserved elsewhere.
Several cast members are acknowledged by name during the show after earning that form of traditional recognition. Click for online calendars and events.