The Festival, though, is more than just a series of visiting performances and events - it develops and stages its own productions too.

This autumn's festival sees a new play created for the occasion, "Going on the Way To Get Lost", by writer and director Shiro Maeda, who founded his troupe Gotanndadan in 1997. It is also one of the productions with surtitling in English and so a unique opportunity for foreign audiences to appreciate the best in local new drama.

Shiro Maeda (c) F/T

After countless nominations Maeda's career hit a high point in 2008 when he was awarded the Kishida Drama Award. His plays are known for their surreal edges (one featured characters unable to stop urinating in public) and also their gentle humor. However, a haunting, at times bleak streak also manifests itself, such as in "Isn't anyone alive?", the bizarre narrative of which sees members of the cast dying inexplicably one after the other.

Being an actor himself, Maeda likes to work with young performers and focus less on plot twists and action, but on character observation and endearing personalities struggling in strange circumstances. If you're looking for theatre removed from glamorous "stars" and good-looking lead actors then Gotannddan's vision is what you are craving.

A recent talk event in Ikebukuro was a chance for fans to hear about Maeda's new play which he has been developing especially for the Festival. Although it was still being written Maeda shared some of the details and inspiration behind the work.

As you would guess from the title, the play focuses on feelings of alienation and being an "orphan" in a city. Maeda was born and raised in Tokyo, and has a strong sense of affinity with the capital which he sees changing and morphing around him over the years.

The author explained that he felt Tokyo to be like a refugee camp for people in the regions, who come in to the city and "colonize" it. Even in his native Gotanda he witnesses old buildings and houses being destroyed and replaced by condos.

Originating from this unease Maeda has been taking a series of long walks through Tokyo to explore back streets and observe hidden characters. These mini adventures have provided much of the material for his new play, though quite how will only be revealed when it premieres at F/T in November.

By William Andrews