Kanagawa Next Vol.1 A theater festival born in anticipation of the development of performing arts in Kanagawa Prefecture.
"Kanagawa Next" started as an initiative to support young and mid-career artists and companies based in Kanagawa, hoping that the performing arts in Kanagawa will continue to grow in the future.
From the many groups that have performed so far, two groups will be selected for the first time to hold the "Kanagawa Next Performance".
Selected as Vol.1 were "theater 045 syndicate," who plays "Farewell, Mr. Charlie" set in a deserted movie theater along the Ooka River in the port town of Yokohama, and Michinoku Confectionery's son, who died after his death. At the memorial service on the 49th, the two groups of the theater producer "Spiral Staircase" perform "Light the fire in silence", where one man's life can be seen from the stories of family and friends.
So this time, we asked Mr. Nakayama and Mr. Midori, who preside over this group, about their aspirations after being selected as "Kanagawa Next" and the highlights of the performance.
"Kanagawa Next" as a breakthrough for the development and dissemination of culture and art in Yokohama
Director of theater 045 syndicate: Tomofumi Nakayama
theater 045 syndicate
A theater unit consisting of the leader Tomofumi Nakayama and actors Katsunori Imai and Miyabi Masaka. He creates works based on the concept of "transmission from Yokohama", has many collaborations with groups active in Kanagawa, and is committed to the promotion of culture and art in Kanagawa, such as creating a place for exchange between groups active in the prefecture. . It is characterized by a style that is hard-boiled, yet light and funny.
Nakayama: We are a theater company based in Yokohama. I am honestly happy that the first project of "Kanagawa Next" was evaluated for both ability and content. Mr. Atsuhiro Hatano, who wrote the script, is also a comrade-in-arms who runs his own theater company called Gekidan 820 Seisakusho, so I am happy to be able to work with him this time.
In this performance, there are about three graduates of the Magcal Performing Arts Academy. He says that there is great meaning in the fact that graduates who were unable to perform due to the corona crisis can now perform at "Kanagawa Next".
Mr. Nakayama: I think it is meaningful for people from Kanagawa to perform locally. Now, in Yokohama, there are more and more groups working hard in their 20s and 30s, so I hope that our two groups, which were selected as the first group, will be a breakthrough and continue to lead the art scene in Yokohama.
Currently, I am personally active mainly in Tokyo and Yokohama, but I am trying to bring back the new techniques and knowledge I acquired in Tokyo and make use of them in Yokohama. I always have the feeling that I want to return various things to my hometown.
By having works by theater companies active in Yokohama (Kanagawa) performed at "Kanagawa Next," I hope to create a foundation for culture and art in Kanagawa. It would be nice if we could improve each other so that it would be accepted nationwide.
From the 3rd Theater Main Performance "Yokohama Yataro ~ Nostalgia Hen ~"
"You can change the story of your life." The gradation of reality and dreams woven by time and human patterns
The work nominated this time is a replay of the performance performed three years ago. It is said that there is something deeply moving about the first performance at a time when the name of the era changed from Heisei to Reiwa, and the situation in the world changed drastically due to Corona.
―What is the highlight of the stage?
theater 045 syndicate: rehearsal for "Farewell, Mr. Charlie"
This work is a story set in an old movie theater in downtown Yokohama. Based on a single movie screened at a movie theater along the Ooka River in Isezakicho, front and back, dreams and reality are intertwined in a big swell. In the chaos, various human patterns will be developed.
One of the highlights is the way reality and dreams intersect in the depictions on this side and the other side of the screen. It contains the message that you can change the story of your life.
After watching a play in the city of Yokohama, where the past and the future are constantly intermingled, the scenery you see on the way back down Momiji-zaka slope will surely be different from before the performance. We hope that you will enjoy experiencing the atmosphere and smells of Yokohama by going to Chinatown or strolling around Noge.
A story of a family that feels life through death and conveys "I'm glad I'm alive"
Theater Producer "Spiral Staircase" Host: Shinichiro Midori
Theater production "Spiral Staircase"
Formed in 2006 to perform theater performances based in Odawara. They hold performances twice a year in autumn in Odawara and in spring in Yokohama. Through land, era, satire, etc., he continues to create sweet, heartrending, laugh-and-cry stages.
Midori: We are a theater company that is based in Odawara and has been active in Yokohama and Odawara for 16 years. I am very honored to have been evaluated and selected for the performance in Vol.1 of "Kanagawa Next" this time. I want to do my best so that this attempt will continue with Vol.2 and Vol.3.
From the 29th performance "Dream with a rotating legless chair"
Many theater companies have been forced to postpone or cancel performances due to the corona crisis, and Midori says that the stage of the theater production "Rasenkaidan" has been postponed about three times. This time, he will never let his guard down, but he is working hard to prevent infection and is working hard to make the performance a success.
―What is the highlight of the stage?
Theatrical production “Spiral Staircase”: Scenes from the rehearsal of “Ignite the Silence”
Midori: The story this time begins when Tomoaki Tohoku of Michinoku Confectionery Co., Ltd., who sells the popular 'Umineko Sable' online shopping, loses his life at a young age. At the memorial service on the 49th, friends and family will talk about the main character while he was alive, as if to remember the deceased.
Through the episodes that are revealed through conversations with family and friends, the image of the main character emerges, and there are plenty of highlights such as laughter and fun in the middle stage. In a good way, I think you will enjoy the feeling of being betrayed by the scenario you imagined from the leaflet.
After watching the show, Midori recommends buying a sable as a souvenir, based on the story of the sea cat sable that appears on stage, and enjoying sightseeing in the surrounding area.
The performances of the two groups are both interesting and memorable, so I recommend both. Especially this time, it will be held twice, with GW in between, so why not visit both performances and spend your holidays enjoying the culture and art of Yokohama?
Click here for theater 045 syndicate "Farewell, Mr. Charlie" event information
Click here for the event information of the theater production "Spiral Staircase" "Lighting up silence"
