Dance & Physical Theatre
Showing @ Greenside Theatre 9-13 Aug @ 21.15 45mins
In his latest work, Japanese performer Makoto Inoue, winner of the Inspiration Award of Prague Fringe 2010, recreates the story of Richard III through mime. The timeless themes that flow through Shakespeare’s work; honour, destiny and fate perhaps resonate even louder coming from a Japanese perspective where these virtues are more visible than in the West, but the universality of the works means that translating them to physical, raw emotions and removing the words is an enticing notion.
Performed against an impressive and diverse score, Inoue’s body falls neatly into synch with the screeches, crunches and screams reverberating around the room. He carves effortlessly into the space creating environments for his characters to emerge. Of course, the cripple himself is the most intoxicating transformation, Inoue contorts his body as if he’s becoming a werewolf with his hands twisted and stretched out before him. What’s interesting about this piece, is that Richard III, more so perhaps than many of Shakespeare’s other plays, relies so heavily on the power of language: Richard’s tongue is what allows him to manipulate and confuse those around him. It’s in this area that Inoue’s body and physicality is unable carry the punch of the story. However, Richard is a strong and evocative piece of art where performer and sound slide together in harmony to create a highly engaging 45 minutes.