A platform to discuss the creation of a "theatre-yet-to-come," the F/T Symposium series centers around four themes questioning the possibilities of contemporary theatre in a political, economical and social context. Related videos are screened in the frame of the F/T Theatrotheque.
Theme 1： Reflecting on the publicness of the arts
Nov 5 (Fri), 19:00 - 21:00
How and why is the expression of an individual legitimized as "art", and how can it actualize publicness? Fundamental questions regarding public and private, community and art, and the institutionalization of art are raised in a time when the examination of the Japanese cultural policy is on the political agenda.
Panelists: Fram Kitagawa / Art director, Taneo Kato / Adm Dir. Asahi Beer Arts Foundation, Chiaki Soma / F/T Program director
Moderator: Tadashi Uchino, Theatre critic
Theme 2： Looking at the city through the lens of theatre
Nov 6 (Sat), 19:00 - 21:00
Originating in the city, recently theatre is seen to achieve a new relationship with the urban space. Which dramaturgy can be found for theatre in the city of Tokyo in specific and East Asia in general? Looking back on the history of "theatre in the city" and "the city as theatre", the future comes into focus.
Panelists: Shunya Yoshimi / Sociologist, Ryota Fukushima / Literary critic, Masataka Matsuda / Theatre director
Moderator: Hidenaga Otori, Theatre critic
Theme 3： Re-thinking "contemporary" theatre in Japan
Nov 12 (Fri), 19:00 - 21:00
In the third symposium the development of Japanese performing arts from Dumb Type up to now is examined, taking a new look at "contemporary" theatre in the light of history including other artistic genres as well as social issues. How is it possible to create a work that possesses actuality and is innovative at the same time?
Panelists: Atsushi Sasaki / Critic, Sachio Ichimura / F/T Chairman, Yohei Kurose / Artist, Critic, Norimizu Ameya / Theatre director, Artist
Moderator: Tadashi Uchino, Theatre critic
Theme 4： Expanding theatre
Nov 13 (Sat), 19:00 - 21:00
In the post-drama era, theatre is not any longer limited to the staging of a drama inside the theatre building. How far can the concept of "theatre" expand? Referring to ground-breaking phenomena ranging from "performance" to new Japanese media such as "2 channel" and "Niko-niko doga", present-day theatre is investigated in a search for a "theatre-yet-to-come".
Panelists: Kengo Kuma / Architect, Satoshi Hamano / Critic, Akira Takayama / Theatre director
Moderator: Hidenaga Otori, Theatre critic
F/T Theatroteque
Towards a theatre to come, we look back to what pioneers of the past left to us. Over a period of ten days the F/T Teatrotheque assembles nine masterpieces and documentary movies about artists, whose works contributed to the emergence of new paradigms in theatre history. The related F/T symposiums and post-screening explanations by experts, focus on the actuality of theatre in a historic context.
A) Family Reunion / Christoph Marthaler / Sarah Derendinger (2009)
Nov 4 (Thu) 17：30
Nov 7 (Sun) 17:00
A Grand Hotel in Switzerland, where guests like Richard Strauss, Albert Einstein and Marc Chagall had been staying in the beginning of the 20th century. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, Christoph Marthaler dedicated a work to the hotel. Applying various spaces such as the tea salon, the gymnasium and the lobby, the hotel itself becomes a stage for the return of the guests of the past through text and music quotes. The documentary movie shows the rehearsal process over a period of six weeks. Director Sarah Derendinger for her movie was awarded the Newcomer Prize at the Festival "Visions du Reel" in Nyon (Switzerland)
B) Screw the European! / Christoph Marthaler (1993)
Nov 4 (Thu) 19：00
Nov 7 (Sun) 13：30, explanation by Morihiro Niino (Jap)
Premiered in 1993, this masterwork by Marthaler was performed until 2006 at the Volksbühne Berlin as a part of the theater's repertoire. The full title is "Murx den Europäer! Murx ihn! Murx ihn! Murx ihn! Murx ihn ab! Ein patriotischer Abend von Christoph Marthaler" (Screw the European! Screw him! Screw him! Really screw him! A patriotic evening by Christoph Marthaler). Beyond this provoking title is scenery where time apparently stands still - a requiem for the extinguishment of the socialist GDR.
C) 1966: My Time in the Red Guards / Wu Wenguang (1993)
Nov 5 (Fri) 14:00
Nov 9 (Tue) 18:30, explanation by Tamako Akiyama (Jap)
Known as the one of the early masterpieces of Chinese independent documentary film. Currently holding positions such as business men and movie directors, five former Red Guards tell about their adolescence spent during the Cultural Revolution. Awarded the Ogawa Shinsuke Prize (the prize for the best film in Asia program) in YAMAGATA International Documentary Film Festival 1993.
D) Ariane Mnouchkine: The Adventure of the Theatre du Soleil / Catherine Vilpoux (2010)
Nov 5 (Fri) 17:00
Nov 10 (Wed) 19:30, explanation by Takayuki Saeki (Jap)
This is the newest documentary about the French theatre company famous for confronting society through the means of art and politics in a constant search for an expression unique to theatre. Featuring old and new interview material with Ariane Mnouchkine, footage from the legendary revolution drama "1789", excerpts from rehearsals and backstage life unfolding in the converted ammunition depot serving as their base, this documentary displays the strong passion and practices of a people believing in the power of theatre.
E) Foreigners Out ! / Christoph Schlingensief / Paul Poet (2006)
Nov 6 (Sat) 13:30
Nov 13 (Sat), 16:00 explanation by Akira Takayama (Jap)
Christoph Schlingensief who passed away this year at the age of only 49 was an enfant terrible of the theatre scene in the German-speaking area. One of his most controversial works was his 7-day long installation "Bitte liebt Oesterreich" implemented on the Herbert-von-Karajanplatz in Vienna. 12 asylum seekers lived in a container city set up in the middle of the public square and were observed permanently by the audience who among them selected a final 'winner' to be granted asylum in Austria. The foreigners rejected by the audience were deported to their home countries. A work that radically and disputatiously re-defined the paradigms of theatre.
F) Einstein on the Beach / Robert Wilson / Mark Obenhaus (1986)
Nov 7 (Sun) 19:00, explanation by Tadashi Uchino (Jap)
Nov 8 (Mon 18:00
A documentary about the epic opera known for boldly renovating the stereotypes of performing arts. Premièring in 1976 and known as a "theatre of images", "Einstein on the beach" is a four and a half hour performance in which time is proceeding according to the minimalist music of Philip Glass. Having no dialogue or concrete storyline, "Einstein on the beach" is a stimulation of the fantasy and the senses.
G) Theatre Laboratory " Tenjosajiki " Video Anthology / Shuji Terayama (1993)
Nov 6 (Sat) 15:30, explanation by Akihiko Senda
Nov 12 (Fri) 14:00
A documentary introducing all works by Terayama's "Tenjosajiki" between 1967 and 1963 with excerpts from the works and interviews. Presenting their legendary interventions into the urban space such as "Jinriki hikoki Solomon" and "Knock", Terayama himself explains in an interview how theatre should challenge social science and unfold the doubt towards everyday life within this reality itself.
H) Hijikata Tatsumi Natsu-no-Arashi / Misao Arai (2003)
Nov 8 (Mon) 19:30, explanation by Tatsuro Ishii (Jap)
Nov 12 (Fri) 17:00
In addition to "Natsu no arashi Hangi-daitoh-kan" from 1973, this documentary about the Hijikata shows 12 different excerpts from his works, among them the notorious performance at the Kyoto University West Auditorium, his interpretations of a young girl and leper patients. This unique film focuses on the inspirations and accomplishments of the founder of Butoh, a dance form unique to Japan, however heavily inspired by the German "Neue Tanz".
I) The Dead Class / Tadeusz Kantor (1984)
Nov 11 (Thu) 19:30, explanation by Hidenaga Otori (Jap)
Nov 13 (Sat) 14:00
Claiming that "art is a reaction to reality", the Polish master Tadeusz Kantor caused an avant-garde theatre revolution. This famous play, displaying a class of apparently dead characters who are confronted by mannequins that represent their younger selves, has continued to exert a huge influence on the history of theatre and arts. This is a recording of the 1982 Japan presentation of the legendary masterwork.
*The explanations are held after the screenings, and last approx. 40 min.
Time: Nov 4 - Nov 13
Venue: Owlspot Theater / Capacity: 300 seats
Fee: ￥500 per screening
Reservations through website, or the F/T Ticket Center (from Set 28)
Price (free seating):
F/T Symposium: \1,000 (same price pre-sale and at door)
F/T Theatrotheque: \500 (same price pre-sale and at door)
Ticket purchase:
Call the F/T Ticket Center, or use the following format (Japanese only):
https://qooker.jp/Q/ja/symposium10/reserve/
※If you are unable to fill in the format in Japanese, but still would like to attend, send an e-mail to infor@anj.or.jp with the subject F/T Symposium and/or F/T Theatroteque reservation.
Dates： Nov 4（Thu） - 13（Sat）
Owlspot Theater
※ The symposiums are conducted in Japanese
