This is a new dance work by Momonga Complex, choreographer and director Momoko Shiraga’s group known for its highly original style that intermixes lyricism with a surrealistic sensibility. Described by Shiraga as an “observational musical-style dance performance,” it attempts to humorously explore the meanings of performing and the individual versus the collective in our present times, when gathering together is no longer something we can take for granted. The performance is separated by area and timeline, and unfolds in a structure reminiscent of “The Tales of Ise” and other examples of uta monogatari, a type of Japanese narrative told as a series of poems. With musical direction from Yukiko Nishii, audiences are free to view the sketches (scenes) as they like, and then join and weave these together into a story. By so doing, audiences discover new hopes about ways to connect, ways to meet people, and forms of expression that emerge from among things that are separate or apart from one another.

Rie Usui, Yu Kitagawa, Miyuki Nishina, Mutsumi Hanawa, Chie Yuda, Momoko Shiraga (all for Momonga Complex)

Choreographed and Directed by Momoko Shiraga
Performers: Rie Usui, Yu Kitagawa, Miyuki Nishina, Mutsumi Hanawa, Chie Yuda, Momoko Shiraga (all for Momonga Complex)
Music Director and Performer: Yukiko Nishii
Stage Design: Ayami Sasaki (FAIFAI)
Stage Manager: Kentaro Sakurai
Sound: Daisuke Hoshino
Lighting: Nami Nakayama
Video: Kazuki Watanabe
Costumes: Rie Usui
Publicity Desisgn: Atsushi Ichino
Production Coordinator: Saeko Hagiya
Presented by Festival/Tokyo

Momonga Complex
Led by Momoko Shiraga, this “dance-performance-esque” group comprises a diverse range of performers with different backgrounds, from a costume designer to a nursery teacher, illustrator, or barista. Since its launch in 2005, the company’s work has taken inspiration from the subtle incidents that take place in everyday life, from personal histories, or from the little desires we have. Its strikingly unusual dance performances uncover the essence that lies within the simple and silly, and intermix affability with the messiness of life.

Momoko Shiraga
Momoko Shiraga founded Momonga Complex after graduating from J. F. Oberlin University. She conceives, choreographs, and directs all of its productions. Her work is noted for its rich and unique use of space and physicality that also proactively incorporates the seemingly meaningless and futile. For Festival/Tokyo, she has previously choreographed one of the flash mobs that appeared in the 2012 lineup, and directed and choreographed an adaptation of “The Rite of Spring” for F/T14. Her recent work includes conceiving and directing “Fantasia” for Cultural Centre of Fujimi City, KIRARI FUJIMI, where she is artistic director, in 2020, and “Who is beside you? What is over there?” for Momonga Complex in 2019.

Style of performance: Regular performance
Schedule: Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, October 25

F/T remote (available online)
10/24 (Sat) 13:00–19:00
10/25 (Sun) 12:00–18:00

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Theatre East)
10/24 (Sat)
(1) 13:00–14:00
(2) 15:30–16:30
(3) 18:00–19:00

10/25 (Sun)
(1) 12:00–13:00
(2) 14:30–15:30
(3) 17:00–18:00

Lobby opens 30 minutes before. Doors open 10 minutes before.
Tickets valid only for one of the six sessions.

Seating Type
Unreserved seating,Standing

Ticket Prices
Advance Tickets：¥3,500
F/T remote：¥1,500
Student Tickets：¥2,300
High School & Younger Tickets：¥1,000

*For both advance and same-day tickets. Proof of age required.
No entry for preschoolers.
If you purchase tickets in advance, you can also watch the streamed version of the performance on F/T remote. (Only available for the performance on the date of your ticket.)
The version streamed on F/T remote is the full six hours.
The performances are streamed live. Please be aware that you may be filmed as part of the audience for the show.
Unfortunately, the ticket purchasing and reservation system for the streamed version of this performance is not available to audiences based outside Japan. The system only accepts credit cards issued in Japan and requires a Japanese cell phone number in order to send a verification code when registering. The address input field is also not compatible with addresses outside Japan.

Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee (Toshima City, Toshima Mirai Cultural Foundation, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ]),
Tokyo Festival Executive Committee (Toshima City, Toshima Mirai Cultural Foundation, Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture [Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre & Arts Council Tokyo])

Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee Secretariat
contact(at)festival-tokyo.jp