So, you're interested in catching one of the local or visiting productions at Festival/Tokyo 2011 but are worried about language barriers? Sure enough, there's nothing more frustrating than wanting to understand and appreciate a two-hour theatre performance but to be prevented just by a lack of knowledge of the language!
Rest assured, no matter your nationality or linguistic levels, there is still plenty of choice for everyone in the F/T11 Program!
English surtitles will be provided for some or all performances of:
"Hemispherical Red and Black" (OKAZAKI ARTS THEATRE),
"Oil Pressure Vibrator" (Geumhyung Jeong),
"The Unending Warmth of a Bedwetting Bog" (Bird Park),
"the acting motivation" (Pijin Neji) and
"BANANAGAKU★☆Super Spunky Sports Autumn Grand Tournament!!!!!".
"Resurrection" by Peachum Company will also feature English commentary at some performances.
Ka Fai Choy's meditation on digital media and dance,
"Notion: Dance Fiction", will be completely in English.
There are also a number of productions and performances that are mostly visual and/or without dialogue. These include the outdoor performances
Romeo Castellucci's "The Phenomenon Called I" and Norimizu Ameya's "ground", and Ishinha's
"Landscape - Tokyo, Ikebukuro".
Needless to say, the dance piece
"still life" by F/T regular Tsuyoshi Shirai will be universally understood, as will the contribution to the Emerging Artists Program from
Modern Table. Jerome Bel's
"The Show Must Go On" originated in France but is in fact made of famous (English language) pop songs.
French- and German-speakers will also be able to enjoy some of the satellite programs in the
Theatrotheque, not to mention René Pollesch's epic
"Cinecittà Aperta".
Performance literature, pamphlets, announcements and other important information are all available bilingually (English and Japanese), and there will be staff at the box office and reception who can speak English and answer your questions. If you're worried about being unable to understand or enjoy a performance due to language problems, please feel free to ask our team for advice!