"A (micro) history of the world economics, danced," a unique collaboration of professional and amateur actors that caused an uproar when it was first staged in France in January, will be showcased at theaters in Shizuoka and Miyazaki, featuring locals there as cast members.
The theatrical piece, put together by Pascal Rambert, director of the Theatre de Gennevilliers, explores a three-year relationship between the French theater and Japanese dramatists. Rambert has decided to use the global economic crisis as a theme after seeing a photograph of a black family who had just lost their home due to the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States.
"I remember seeing a picture of an African-American family in Le Monde, sitting on their couch in the middle of the street a few minutes after they — this family — were evicted from their home," he said in a press release.
Looking for answers as to why it happened, Rambert asked Eric Mechoulan, a French philosopher with a background in economic history, to collaborate. He has also enlisted 50 actors — mostly amateurs — to act out the history of world economics over centuries.
In the Japanese productions, the director is working with local amateurs — 50 in each city — to re-create his piece. In addition to Rambert, four of the French actresses and the philosopher Mechoulan are also joining the tour.
"A (micro) history of the world economics, danced" (performed in Japanese and French with Japanese subtitles) will take place at Udo outdoor theater in Shizuoka City from 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 23-24; and at Medikit Arts Center in Miyazaki City from 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 31. For details (in Japanese), visit www.spac.or.jp/10_autumn/dansee (Shizuoka) or www.miyazaki-ac.jp/moyooshi/2010/world-dances2/index.html (Miyazaki).