YUKO SENGA UNIT (2002 Greece & Poland Tour)
ORESTEIA
Jpanese page is here.
an extraction from a newspaper
The Magical Music Contained in the Theatre Play....extract performance
"ORESTEIA" by a Japanese Theatre
Yuko Senga Unit
Ermoupolia 2002
July 6 (sat) - 7 (sun)
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Very few know the real power that the theater play has. Some probably
think that the Greek tragedy by Japanese is nothing to do with them since only limited
people in Syros saw their two performances and especially since there was no theatre
specialist.
We, however, should not underrate the importance of the theatre play. For sure, if
you look at it, you know. The most important thing is that you have let the "rare"
opportunity, the Japanese excellent performing art filled with the high sense of
beauty, go.
The certain language (in this case, Japanese) may keep audience away. If we do not
know Japanese sounds or letters, we tend to imagine something meaningless. But the
theatre language can express the deep part of human soul by face expressions, body
movements and rhythm. Expression is the international language.
We, more or less, know the myth "ORESTEIA". The awful result of the Trojan
War changed winners to losers and chased them even into their home land. Because
we never learn anything from the myth, we keep repeating the same thing. The Japanese
theatre used this myth, traveled between the spaces, and tried to express their own
sufferings. In their own method, they expressed them using the dignity of the Greek
Tragedy, the international cultural property. In fact the fusion of two elements,
Greek and Japanese traditions, was very fascinating. When the light faded out, several
actors went though the theatre with light-equipment-like red balls. To interesting
music (mixed Asian and Greek music) the ceremony (performed lively on the stage)
was practiced. It was the moment to feel how big the power of the real play has.
The great Japanese actress Yuko Sanga performed Clytemnestra (who we will never forget
about for so many years) nailed down audience eyes, and Coros performed exemplary.
(Yet, they were not distinguished. What can I explain that?) Those who completed
the magic were each of actors and actresses imparting their passion toward the theater,
and performed following the fascinating inner discipline. Over all it contained the
wonderful and "contemporary" direction and stage design. (Everything happened
on the stage. The actors "transform" on the stage, not in the wings.) They
present us the surprising performance. The one from Japan last year was as great
as this performance. The last-year-one was Japanese Dance and Drama for children
and performed as a part of Ermoupolia 2001.
Hopefully, Greek Japanese Association "Lafcadio Hearn", the Japan Foundation
and Ermoupoli will keep cooperating and present the excellent performance again next
year.
[Photo: "ORESTEIA" by the Japanese theatre. Performance is the common language
in the world.]