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F/T BEHIND THE SCENES: Sample Open Studio |
A fishing rod. A bicycle. A disused school classroom. If you're thinking the F/T program is just performances, think again. The Sample Open Studio event allowed a select group of attendees to sit in on an early rehearsal for writer-director Shu Matsui's new play. Featuring many regulars from previous Sample productions, "That Man's World" looks at encounters in a "magnet"-like narrative. We got to see how important nuance and detail is in a Sample play. Seemingly banal and minor dialogue or actions were re-worked and fine-tuned several times. Matsui's plays don't feature sudden, melodramatic speeches, but rather gradual and subtle shifts. The way a character moves a prop (a fishing rod, a bicycle), the tone of voice in a grunt. After watching an hour of the rehearsal in the Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory, a former middle school, we were treated to an intimate Q&A session with Matsui, where he discussed his play, his directing techniques - and even the recent SOFTBANK TV commercial he guest starred in. He also explained how his premiere at the autumn F/T would feature a multi-layered set. Matsui is an acclaimed playwright whose work examines the relationships between families and lovers in this bizarre modern world we find ourselves in. He also explores subjectivity in his plays, and "That Man's World" will be no exception, he told us. The Open Studio satellite events are great opportunities for the audience to see the inner workings of the productions and to get up-close to the directors and creators who make it all happen. "That Man's World" can be seen from November 6 to 15 at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Small Hall 1. There will be English subtitled performances on November 14 (both performances) and 15. The next and final Sample Open Studio is on October 28 at 19:00. By William Andrews |
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