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Ariane Mnouchkine (founder of the Théâtre du Soleil, theatre and film director)

Born in Paris in 1939. While at Sorbonne University in Paris, in 1959 she formed the ATEP (Association Théâtrale des Étudiants de Paris or Parisian Students’ Theatrical Association) . In 1964 she formed Théâtre du Soleil with mainly ATEP members. For more than half a century since, she has worked as a director at the fore of contemporary theatre. In the 1980s she was noted for her series of Shakespeare adaptations, and in the 1990s she again attracted attention for a series of works based on Greek plays. Mnouchkine’s work incorporating techniques from the physical theatre traditions of Asia has also put her in the limelight. In terms of the themes of her works, she boldly tackles social themes, such as refugee issues, with meticulous research.
She also directed a film version of “1789”and “Molière.” In recognition of her achievements over many years, in 2019 she was awarded the 35th Kyoto Prize in the category of Arts and Philosophy/Theater, Cinema. Since the founding of her company, her spirit of freedom and equality has been a constant: at theatres she greets audiences by collecting tickets herself.

Théâtre du Soleil

Founded in France in 1964. Based at former munitions factory "La Cartoucherie" outside of Paris, the company is known for its distinctive collective creation approach. The group’s French Revolution-themed work “1789” staged in 1970 attracted worldwide attention with its innovative theatrical techniques. The troupe’s repertoire ranges from classics to works dealing with contemporary issues such as refugees. The group made its long-awaited Japan debut in 2001 at the New National Theatre, Tokyo with “Tambours sur la digue,” a much talked-about work that boldly incorporated Asian puppet theatre traditions, in particular the fundamentals of Japanese Bunraku. The troupe’s latest production “L'île d'Or Kanemu-jima” was inspired by Japanese culture.

Ivo van Hove (ITA Artistic Director)

Ivo van Hove has been Artistic Director of Internationaal Theater Amsterdam since 2001. From 1998, he took up the reins of Artistic Director for the celebrated international performing arts festival Holland Festival, working on a wide range of works from classics to avant-garde theatre. He is also deeply interested in film and video, producing stage adaptations of "The Damned" and "All about Eve,” and he is unrivaled in his directing style actively incorporating video. He has also expanded his activities to Broadway, producing a series of newsworthy works such as "The Crucible" starring Ben Whishaw, David Bowie’s musical theatre show “Lazarus” for which Bowie appionted him director, and a remake of "West Side Story". Arthur Miller's "A View from the Bridge" staged at Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe in 2014 swept the boards in terms of theatre prizes, winning everything from the Olivier Awards to the Tony Awards.
His first performance in Japan was in 2017 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre with "Othello", and later in 2022 he will direct "The Glass Menagerie" starring Isabelle Huppert at the New National Theatre, Tokyo.

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA)

Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam and Toneelgroep Amsterdam merged in January 2018, operating under the name Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) from the 2018/2019 season onwards. In 2001 Ivo van Hove was appointed Artistic Director of ITA. Out of the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the world's top-level talent has gathered to present a succession of theatrical works, making ITA a leading presence in global theatre. In 2017, ITA brought its production of "Othello" to Japan and performed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. The 2020 Tokyo Festival program featured the event “Film Festival of ITA productions directed by Ivo Van Hove,” a stupendous trio of filmed performances. Hove's latest theatre piece is his staging of “The Glass Menagerie” with Isabelle Huppert in the lead role.