Theatre503 and Kagami Theatre present ‘Woman in the Dunes’, 14-18 January 2014

Theatre503 and Kagami Theatre present ‘Woman in the Dunes’ by Micha Colombo, based on the original novel by Abe Kobo, January 14th -18th 2014.

A press release follows:

A brand new adaptation of the world-renowned 1962 Japanese novel by Abe Kobo.

An amateur insect collector seeks shelter in a strange village. A quiet village. A village nearly overwhelmed by huge towering sand dunes. Where people live like bees. Where visitors are not wanted and getting out is going to be a lot harder than getting in…

This multilayered, unconventional drama compellingly explores the idea of purpose in the face of nature’s darker forces.

“Go on working your fingers to the bone with your sand-labour if you like. But I’ve had enough. And I’ve just run out of cigarettes.”

This production by Kagami Theatre (https://kagamitheatre.wordpress.com) works with a script inspired both by the novel and by Abe’s own attitudes to theatre – namely that it should be used as “a space to realise abstract things that are impossible to see in everyday life”.

Micha Colombo is the writer-director. She established Kagami Theatre in 2013 as a vehicle to bring Japanese and broader East Asian stories to UK audiences. She trained as an actor at ALRA in 2010-11. Her previous work, Whale Tale, which she devised and performed as a two hander, toured to the Edinburgh Fringe 2012 where it was said to be ‘raising the bar of children’s theatre’ (Broadway Baby). She has a degree in Japanese from Cambridge University, and has lived and worked in Japan, China and Brazil.

The cast includes Felix O’Brien (‘The Planet & Stuff’, Polka Theatre and member of The Royal Court Writer’s Programme), Roslyn Paterson (‘Macbeth’, Erasmus Theatre) and Niall Kerrigan (recent ALRA graduate).

Lauren Cameron is the designer. She has worked with Company of Angels, Tara Arts and English Theatre Vienna among others. Examples of her work can be seen on www.laurenjunorcameron.tumblr.com

Woman in the Dunes poster Woman in the Dunes flyer

Listings info:

Theatre503 and Kagami Theatre present: Woman in the Dunes by Micha Colombo

14th-18th January 2014 at 7.45pm nightly

Director: Micha Colombo

Cast: Felix O’Brien, Roslyn Paterson, Niall Kerrigan

Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions)

Box Office: For tickets call 020 7978 7040 or visit www.theatre503.com

Show’s Twitter hashtag: #dunes

Notes to editors about T503:

Theatre503 is one of London’s foremost new writing theatres, based above the Latchmere pub in Battersea, South West London. Under the joint Artistic Directorship of Tim Roseman and Paul Robinson this small fringe theatre produces fearless, irreverent and provocative new plays that receive national and international acclaim. Theatre503 at The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 3BW. http://theatre503.com/find-contact-us/

Notes to editors about the original novel, ‘The Woman in the Dunes’ by Abe Kobo.

Abe Kobo (1924-1993) was a Japanese playwright and author. Abe has been often compared to Franz Kafka and Alberto Moravia for his surreal, often nightmarish explorations of individuals in contemporary society and his modernist sensibilities.It was with his 1962 novel, ‘The Woman in the Dunes’ that he won widespread international acclaim. He later collaborated with Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara on the 1964 film adaptation of the novel, which was also widely praised and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9998.The_Woman_in_the_Dunes

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/oct/07/featuresreviews.guardianreview26

The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is delighted to be supporting the produciton with a Daiwa Foundation Small Grant.