Answer:
Kabuki plays are considered, for want of a better term, the classical "action" or "dance-drama" plays of Japan (as opposed to the Noh [pronounced 'no' with a long 'o'] plays which can be considered the "melodrama" of Japanese theatre). It can also be considered "avante-garde" although the term is a misnomer since Kabuki dates back to the beginning of the 17th century. Kabuki theatre has a great deal of fast moving action with brightly colored face make-up and much singing and dancing and music in the story telling.
Kabuki plays are difficult to explain in a short answer. One would refer a person to Wikipedia for a general, if lengthy, explaination of the plays. The easiest answer is Kabuki plays are historical in nature running through several time periods of Japan.