A total of 10 hours! Immerse yourself in the world of Greek tragedy with this trilogy.
(Top image) Photo: Yoshikazu Inoue
A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.22 KUNIO15 "Greeks"
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)
Sublime and majestic. That's the world that generally comes to mind when you think of Greek tragedy. Some might say it's a bit sleepy.
But guess what!
KUNIO15's "Greeks," a joint production between KAAT and KUNIO, was something a little different.
Although ten Greek tragedies have been reconstructed into one story using modern theatre techniques, it is an epic production consisting of three parts and running time of 10 hours. I felt I had to prepare myself for this when I stepped into the theatre, but what I found there was a scene that was connected to the everyday lives of Japanese people. From the "entrance to the story" prepared by director Kunio Sugihara, the audience was easily drawn into the distant world of the ancient Greek tale.
*Photography: Yoshikazu Inoue
The stage, which incorporates the image of the pine-framed backdrop of a Noh stage, exudes a sense of purity befitting the setting for a tale of the gods. By incorporating vinyl and plastic, symbols of modern consumer culture, the world of ancient Greece is linked to modern Japan. Sugihara, who also worked on the stage design, delivers a dynamic performance that keeps the audience engaged. It's a compelling performance that makes the 10 hours seem to fly by.
*Photography: Yoshikazu Inoue
Greek tragedy is said to be the origin of today's plays and stories, and may be a hurdle for directors to overcome. Last year, Sugihara directed "Oedipus Rex" at KAAT, and after feeling a sense of accomplishment in Greek tragedy, he chose "Greeks" as his next step.
"I am well aware that this work goes against the trend in an age where simple and easy things are popular (laughs). But that is precisely why I believe in the power of stories, the power of art, and the power of theater, and I wanted to present it to society."
"I want to convey to the audience the 'fun' and 'coolness' of classics. 'Greeks' was first performed in the UK in 1980, and has been restructured and expanded upon, so it may not be a 'classic' in the purest sense. Even so, tackling this play requires physical strength and stamina as a director. There were no directors around me, at least, who were willing to stage such a major work, and it would be extremely rare to find a theater that would allow it. For the actors and staff working with me, as well as the audience, it is an experience that you don't get to have many times in your lifetime (laughs)."
*Photography: Yoshikazu Inoue
The moody, selfish, and unique gods of Greek mythology share many similarities with the gods that appear in Japanese mythology. Greek tragedies are stories that depict humans at the mercy of such gods, but it was human imagination that created the "gods" in the first place.
Many of the Greek gods have names that are familiar to Japanese people. When you realize this, it's strange how, despite the fact that this story was born so long ago, it somehow feels like it's not just something that happens to other people.
After a preview in Morishita (Tokyo) and a performance in Kyoto, which Sugihara considers his second home, "Greeks" will finally open at the KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre.
"Kanagawa Prefecture is my hometown, and I've been practicing "Greeks" at KAAT, so it feels like I'm "returning to home ground." It's the culmination of what I've cultivated in small theaters, and I think it will be a turning point for me, so I hope many people will come and see it."
This event has now ended.
KAAT・KUNIO joint production
KUNIO15 " Greeks "
[Date and time] November 21st (Thursday) - 30th (Saturday)
*No performances on Friday 22nd, Monday 25th, and Thursday 28th
Each day
Part 1 11:30~
Second part 15:00~
Part 3 18:30~
[Venue] KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre Large Studio
[Edited and translated into English] John Barton and Kenneth Cavanander
[Translated by] Hidemi Ozawa
[Direction and Art] Kunio Sugihara
[Cast] Amagiya Ryo, Ando Tamae, Honda Maki (SPAC - Shizuoka Performing Arts Center), Takeda Akira (Uotori), Ishimura Mika (Tegamiza), Hakoda Akifumi (Tegamiza), Tanaka Yuya (Nakano Shigeki + Frankens), Watanabe Ryo, Fujii Saryu, Fukuhara Kan (Hanchu-Yuei), Morita Masakazu, Ikeura Sadamu (Otokoniku du Soleil), Matsunaga Reiko (Nylon 100°C), Toyama Seiji (Bungakuza), Oda Yutaka and others
[Price] (All seats reserved) All-day ticket ¥10,000, <Tickets for each section> General ¥5,000, 24 years old and under ¥2,500, high school students and under ¥1,000, Seniors (65 years old and over) ¥4,500
