"Who are we?" and who are "the others"? And how should "we" associate with "them"? Written in 1996 by Hideki Noda, Japan's leading contemporary dramatist, this is one of the central themes of "Red Demon." It premiered in Japan with English actor Angus Burnett in the title role, before being staged in Thailand and then England, and was previously reviewed by me.
"Red Demon" is now being offered up in three languages at Theatre Cocoon in Shibuya. It therefore gives audiences three takes on this absorbing, universal work: one in English with English and European actors, one in Thai with Thai actors; and one in Japanese with Japanese actors.
All three versions are directed by Noda, who also takes the lead in the English and Thai versions and plays Tombi in the Japanese version.