In the era of silent film it was common to have live piano or organ accompanying the show. In Japan, they had people as well – specially trained to provide narration, translation, poetry, and commentary for the films on the screen.
Walter Röhrig [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
This ties into the Japanese theatre traditions of Noh and Kabuki, who also had narrators or a chorus to achieve the same goal. The benshi were immensely popular, even celebrities in their own right. You might go to a specific theatre just because of the benshi performing there.
The practice mostly died out with the introduction of sound in film. The practice is having a bit of a revival now under the name Neo-Benshi.
Categories: Arts & recreation Asia Places Screen & stage
The Generalist
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and am curious about most things.
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