As the third play in its series titled Drama for Two — The Power of Dialogue, the New National Theatre, Tokyo, is set to stage acclaimed English playwright Nick Payne's two-hander quantum love story "Constellations" for a three-week run from Dec. 3.
On a recent bright afternoon, we talked to the director of the work's first Japanese production, Eriko Ogawa, 36, about her approach to this play, which the NNTT commissioned from her following the success of "Opus," a comedy about a string quartet by U.S. playwright Michael Hollinger that she staged at its small venue, The Pit, in September 2013.
"Constellations," which involves parallel universes, premiered in January 2012 at London's Royal Court Theatre, which is known for its long-standing dedication to new writing. A hit with audiences and critics alike, it transferred to the West End that November, and will open on Broadway next month. In Britain, it won the Evening Standard Best Play Award and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Play.