Monday, October 20, 2008
Cirque director going big in Japan
TheStar.com: "'It would take a lifetime to understand Japan,' says François Girard, 'but I certainly have a love and fascination for Japanese culture and great respect for the Japanese people.'"
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12 comments:
This is very exciting--I'm glad to see CIRQUE expanding their audience in a positive way. I know a while back there was an argument as to whether it was worthwhile or beneficial to CIRQUE to "dumb-down" their shows for a broader audience. I'm glad to see their artistic innovation and direction being worked on on an even more international level and seen by more people.
In foundations we are studying the process of telling a story and the motivations behind the telling. This is a fascinating approach to the creation of a new work. Sometimes the simplest things end up making a larger impact than stories. Even more than this the tradition of NOH theatre in Japan (based on movement and skill rather than story) is the perfect foundation to build a Cirque show. I hope this production succeeds.
it would be very interesting to read an article about how this show is being responded to and what the japanese audience thinks about it. cirque is such a craze here in the states and canada, and it seems it is impossible to find someone who doesn't like it. but, as the cirque director said, "he will never fully understand japanese culture", maybe this will impede the success of cirque there?
I am a big fan of Cirque's work and I am thrilled to see that they continue to produce top notch performances. I think that Cirque's success in Japan speaks to its universal themes and ideas. Because it lacks language and a solid base in a culture, Cirque is able to reach out and touch many different people from across the world with its amazing design, acrobatics, and clowning, as well as its acting and professionalism.
A second reason why Cirque is so successful is that their shows focus on the characters and not the story. Stories, while they can have universal themes are usually steeped in a culture, while the generality of the characters that Cirque creates makes them timeless and without culture while at the same time being from every culture.
There are the things that make Cirque so amazing.
Cirque has always been a multi-national organization. Based out of Canada, their they have expanded their performances mostly into the states and Europe, however, their artistic influences seem to be wholly global. Each show represents a different level and style of diversity and globalization -- the bulk of their work is universal in its understand, regardless of language. As a result, its can be viewed and appreciated similarly with audiences of different backgrounds.
This show has been geared exclusively to a Japanese, even Tokyo audience. I wonder what changes they have made to their style of production that make it specifically Japanese. I would hope that were an audience member from another culture to see the show, it would still be as coherent to them.
The process must be so exhilarating!! I think that this is something that is so culturally bound with both japanese culture and americans helping with the production. What i love most about this article is the fact that the director loves the japanese audience. "Wait until you see the show tonight with the Japanese public. They are such a brilliant audience. They are attentive, generous, focused, very sophisticated." This is something I think we as amaericans try extremely hard to do and given the fact that we are truly involved emotionally in a show is a different story. The whole culture in general is a sophisticated type who will appereciate this!! I would love to be involved with something like this, even if that means sitting down and watching it! I would be involved.
I am very interested in seeing how the Japanese tradition of Noh theatre collaborates with Cirque. Noh focuses on the precision of the movements and overally imagery while Cirque to me is plot and character based. The interaction between the two will be a benefit for both Cirque and Japanese theatre goers.
I feel like Cirque is something that can be appreciated by audiences worldwide without much tweaking. I would like to see how they have changed it to better suit a Japanese audience.
It's interesting how the article divulges into the Directors feelings before this show. That is the epitome of a Director's mindset on opening night. I would never want to go through it. Not only does he risk his artistic potential, but the fact that he is telling another culture's history challenges him on a social lever.
Cirque shows are always amazing and from the video clip, this looks no less stunning! The artistic look and feel of the show is amazing. The costumes, lights, stage, everything looks truly amazing. Plus, the floor drops and rises to add to the action. It is also nice to see that Cirque is going to Japan and bringing the show to other cultures.
I'm really looking forward to seeing CIRQUE especially now that their audience is being exapnded. Though I am a little irked and annoyed at the new format, I look forward to seeing the new adaptation.
Those pictures look absolutely beautiful, I would love to see this production. It would be fascinating to see how the culture of Japan influenced CIRQUE and how it change their approach to the work. Michael mentioned the NOH theatre, which was all about movement and the use of specific character types - this sound so much like CIRQUE to me that it just fits. They are more about dance and body movement than a specific story narrative. I really love to see how the audience responds to this wok, and if it seamlessly fits into their culture.
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