The contemporary Japanese dance scene has recently drifted to a more fragmented situation where groups delve deeper into their own particular take on performance, but one exception to this is Pappa Tarahumara. Founded by Hiroshi Koike (freshly back from a discussion presentation with Laurie Anderson at New York’s Japan Society), the troupe is the definition of eclectic, using butoh, song, absurdist drama and contemporary dance in its shows. In a recent interview Koike said, “I founded Pappa Tarahumara to overcome boundaries between different styles of performance. I want to incorporate many different elements.”
The company’s new production, “Punk Don Quixote,” does just that, using elaborate costumes and set designs, various styles of dance and a range of performers, including one of the world’s leading Balinese Kecak dancers. The piece presents a magical and brutal universe of war, conflict and sentient beasts, and is loosely inspired by the Cervantes novel “Don Quixote,” though it is not a retelling of the story.
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