As they say in England, you have to laugh. Well, you don't have to, but there's a fair chance that those who go to see "Laugh" in Tokyo or Yokohama will anyway.
With a program of five distinct plays running between 15 and 50 minutes, and all performed in English, New Worlds Theatre tackles political, philosophical and family concerns while at the same time raising a few giggles (or being sued for false advertising).
While four of the plays are originals, there is also a reinterpretation of Eugene Ionesco's classic Absurdist comedy "Frenzy For Two, or More," where a bickering couple row in their apartment as a war rages outside. And the synopsis for "The TV" — wherein a father, disturbed by what his young daughter sees while watching television, decides it's time to have "the talk" — sounds particularly intriguing.
"Laugh" runs Sept. 23 (7.30 p.m.) and 24 (2.30 p.m., 7 p.m.) at What The Dickens! in Ebisu, Tokyo (¥2,800 with one drink); and Sept. 29 (7.30 p.m.) and 30 (2.30 p.m.) at YCAC in Yokohama (¥3,000). Visit www.newworldstheatre.com for more information.