Japan-Britain Contemporary Theatre Exchange

Workshop: ‘Democracy as a Verb’, led by Yuta Hagiwara (Kamome Machine, Tokyo)

Venue: The LICA building A27-29 events spaces, Lancaster University

Times: 2:00 – 6:00 pm

Tokyo-based theatre director Yuta Hagiwara has been creating works focused on the concept of ‘public’ since 2007. In his works, he explores this common, yet uncertain term theatrically through the body. This approach has led to performances such as site-specific Waiting for Godot in Fukushima (2011), staged shortly after the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, Oregayo (2015 -) which uses the Japanese Constitution as its text and Telephone Theatre Series performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hagiwara is currently residing in New York where he researches the relationship between democracy and theatre as Asian Cultural Council Fellow. This workshop is based on his ongoing research in which he shares thoughts by using his body to contemplate democracy. For Hagiwara, this is like 'bodybuilding' for performance.

Democracy. We will be lost together like children in this uncertain concept that undoubtedly affects our bodies.

To register please click here. Please note that there are limited spaces available. 

Venue: Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster University

3:30 - 4:00 pm Registration and Welcome Reception

4:00 - 5:00 pm Lecture and Q&A

A Very Short Introduction to Contemporary Japanese Theatre
Professor Tadashi Uchino (Gakushuin Women's College, Tokyo) 

5:00 - 5:15 pm Break

5:15 - 6:45pm Roundtable talk: Travelling, Gathering, Exchanging

Theatre has always been a place to come together and exchange. In these (post)pandemic times of uncertainty, anxiety, climate catastrophes and wars, the idea of physically travelling somewhere to gather and exchange is contested daily. Rajni Shah (2021) sees performance as creating the possibility for the act of gathering that enables attentive listening. Hans-Thies Lehmann (1999/2006) describes this act through the notion of event/situation and Florian Malzacher (2021) explains it as the art of assembly. When performance and theatre makers and audiences gather in a space, virtual and physical, to rehearse, exchange and perform, it is with an assumption that they have journeyed from near or far. How is contemporary theatre and performance inspired by imaginary and/or real travel? How can theatrical exchange and collaboration become a transformative force and give agency to both those present and absent from the places of gathering?

All events will be in English. To register please click here.

Venue: New Adelphi Studio, New Adelphi Building, Peel Park Campus, University of Salford

1:30-2:30 pm Lecture and talk on Contemporary Japanese theatre with Professor Tadashi Uchino (Gakushuin Women's College, Tokyo)

2:30 - 3:00 pm Break

3:00 - 6:00 pm  Workshop: ‘Democracy as a Verb’, led by Yuta Hagiwara (Kamome Machine, Tokyo)

Please see here for registration details.