PROGRAM
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Autumn Selection
The Unknown Dancer in the Neighborhood
Photo: Ryuichiro Suzuki
Choreographed and performed by Wataru Kitao (Baobab)
A masterpiece with rave reviews from Sydney and New York is back, a must-see collaboration between Kishida Kunio Drama Award-winning theatre writer Suguru Yamamoto and Japan’s dance-scene leading light Wataru Kitao
On stage for this year's Geigeki Autumn Selection is the masterpiece “The Unknown Dancer in the Neighborhood” which since its premiere has been performed not only in Japan but also overseas. In this dance-theatre piece, the words of Kishida Kunio Drama Award-winning theatre writer Suguru Yamamoto are hybridized with the body movements of Japan’s dance-scene leading light Wataru Kitao to create a form of artistic expression only possible in a theatrical setting.
Profile
Suguru Yamamoto (HANCHU-YUEI)
Theatre writer/director, HANCHU-YUEI representative. Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1987. Grounded in the films, literature, music and art he absorbed from a young age, he constructs a world on stage which vividly reflects the modern “information society” where ethics and moral values change at an accelerated pace.
He has a wide repertoire, include "The Theatre on the Other Side," which is also a platform for online creation, "Series Adults and Children" that can be enjoyed together with children, and workshops for young people and welfare facilities. He has been involved in many performances, international co-productions, and plays in other Asian countries and North America. “Girl X” garnered him the Bangkok Theatre Festival 2014 Award for Best Original Script and Best Play. He won the 66th Kishida Kunio Drama Award for “You Can Eat Banana Flowers.” Yamamoto is a Fellow of The Saison Foundation.
Wataru Kitao (Baobab)
Leader of dance company "Baobab,” Wataru is responsible for the choreography, development, and direction of all works. As well as standalone productions, he appears in festivals in Japan and overseas. He has choreographed many stage productions, TV dramas, commercials and films. As a dancer and actor, he has performed in works by Ryohei Kondo, Kunio Sugihara, Takuaki
Kumagai and others. He teaches workshops and organizes outreach programs all over Japan. He recently conceived and launched the Geigeki dance workshop "TOKYO DIG/RISE", taking charge of everything from teaching to directing and choreographing workshop presentations. He lectures part-time at Shobi University, J. F. Oberlin University, and Tama Art University. Wataru has been awarded numerous prizes over his career, including a nomination in the “Outstanding Performer” category in New York’s Bessie Awards in 2020 as well as Best Dancer Award at the Yokohama Dance Collection 2018 Competition I. He served as a judge for the Yokohama Dance Collection 2021 Competition II.
Performance schedule
Friday, Nov. 4 – Sunday, Nov. 6
Friday, Nov. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Sutuday, Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m. , 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 6, 1:00 p.m.
Language
Japanese
Ticket information
All seats non-reserved/Numbered entry tickets/tax-inclusive
- General:￥3,500
- Aged 65 or over:￥3,000
- Aged 25 or under:￥2,500
- High school students or under:￥1,000
- Toshima citizen: ¥3,000
Tickets on sale: From 10:00 on Saturday, Sept. 10
*No admission for under preschool children.
*Tickets for those aged 65 and over, 25 and under, high school students and younger, and discounts for Toshima residents are available at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Box Office only (limited number of tickets, advance sales only, ID required)
*Those with a Certification for Persons with Disabilities can see the play at a discounted price. (For details, please check at the theatre box office or on the theatre's website.)
*For wheelchair users, please contact the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Box Office (tel. 0570-010-296) before coming to the theatre, as there is limited space
*The difference will not be refunded even if a person eligible for the discount is admitted with a general price ticket. If a person with an age discount ticket cannot verify to be eligible for the discount, please pay the difference at the reception desk on the day of the performance.
*Illegal resale is strictly prohibited.
*Performance information may be subject to change due to unavoidable circumstances.
*Please be sure to check the precautions and the latest information about the performance on the theatre’s website before coming to the venue.
*Please refrain from entering the venue if you are not wearing a mask.
* Please understand that people with fever or who are deemed to be in poor health may be denied admission on the day of the event.
*Except in the case of cancellation of a performance, no cancellations or changes will be accepted for tickets that have been reserved or purchased.
*Hearing loops (magnetic loops) will be activated on all dates.
*Childcare services are available during concerts and plays at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. (For children from 3 months of age to before entering elementary school / Charged, limited capacity, application required at least 7 days prior (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays) to the desired date)
miraxs Co.,Ltd Mirax Sitter Application/Inquiries: 0120-415-306 (Weekdays 9:00-17:00)
Notice to visitors
This performance will be held with measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Please be sure to check the following link on the Tokyo Festival website when visiting:
Tokyo Festival anti-coronavirus measures
https://tokyo-festival.jp/2022/en/info/covid19/
-Please wear a mask at all times.
-Please be advised that those who have a temperature of 37.5℃ or higher or those who are not feeling well may be denied admission on the day of the performance.
Venue
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Theatre East)
Organizer credits
Organizers
Tokyo Festival Executive Committee [Toshima City, Toshima Mirai Cultural Foundation, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture (Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre & Arts Council Tokyo), Tokyo Metropolitan Government]
Supported by
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan in fiscal 2022, Culture and Arts Encouragement Grant (program promoting the functional enhancement of theatres, concert halls, etc.), Independent Administrative Agency Japan Arts Council
Sponsored by
Asahi Group Japan, Ltd.
Inquiries
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Box Office
TEL 0570-010-296 (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. except when theatre is closed)