Theatre & Stage
U-BU-SU-NAChoreographed by Kujirai Kentaro Snowstorms, isolation, and the icy bite of winter permeate the world of U-BU-SU-NA, a very old word meaning ‘the mystical divine power that protects the land and those who live there’, and the title of this piece presented by butoh dancer and choreographer Kujirai Kentaro. Review by Alice Baldock
Theatre & Stage
One Small StepWritten and directed by Kato Takuya A sci-fi work set in near-future Japan exploring the ethics and gender politics of human colonisation in space. Review by Michael Tsang
Theatre & Stage
Spirited Away (Play)Adapted by John Caird Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away is imagined for the stage by Olivier and Tony award-winning director of Les Misérables, John Caird. Review by Michael Tsang
Theatre & Stage
On an Endless Road: Ito Noe and the Women Composers of her TimeBy Francesca Le Lohé An exploration of the female composers active in Japan during the life of Ito Noe, a feminist figure of the Meiji era whose story remains untold. Review by Cameron Bassindale
Theatre & Stage
Sputnik Sweetheart (Play)Directed by Melly Still The latest stage adaptation of Murakami Haruki’s novel Sputnik Sweetheart demonstrates the malleable power of the theatre as a storytelling medium. Review by Michael Tsang
Theatre & Stage
The Garden of WordsWhole Hog Theatre in association with Park Theatre Based on the stereotype-defying anime and novel from world-renowned filmmaker Shinkai Makoto, The Garden of Words presents a refreshing and original take on the story of the serendipitous encounter between two social misfits. Review by Laurence Green
Theatre & Stage
Yoshioka Nao at The Jazz CafeYoshioka Nao’s latest performance at The Jazz Cafe was active and embodied and coupled with her powerful vocals, brought the music to life and left a lasting impact on the audience. Review by Jasmin Lau
Theatre & Stage
Tristan and IsoldeCoreographed by Teshigawara Saburo In Teshigawara Saburo’s reimagination of Wagner’s 'Tristan and Isolde', our lovers are never quite touching. The story behind the duet between KARAS dancers is of two lovers who should not be together, but who fall recklessly in love after imbibing a love potion. Review by Alice Baldock
Theatre & Stage
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami: LiveStaged by Jack McNamara An immersive reading performance of Mieko Kawakami's new novel, "Heaven", a work about bullying, what it means to bully, and to be bullied. Review by Laurence Green
Theatre & Stage
YosugaBy Kaneko Ayano Yosuga is the 6th full-length album from Kaneko Ayano, one of Japan’s best kept musical secrets. Since 2014, Kaneko has released a body of work which charts her considerable progress as a musician. Review by Cameron Bassindale