Details

Audacious theatre artist and puppeteer Basil Twist collaborates with master musician Yumiko Tanaka on a spectacular visual journey inspired by dogugaeshi - the Japanese art of creating beautiful illusions through perspective. As more than 100 handpainted gilt and paper panels unfold, revolve and slide, images from both ancient and contemporary Japan are revealed. Bamboo thickets, soaring bridges and dense cityscapes materialise while wide-eyed foxes with drooping moustaches dance mid-air. Dogugaeshi layers brilliant puppetry with video projection and electronic sound to give this rarely seen, ancient craft a contemporary spin. In keeping with Japanese puppetry performances, the musical accompaniment is played live on a three-stringed shamisen. Running time: 1hr with no interval. Age guidance 10+

Creatives/Company

Presented by: Barbican (in assiciation with London International Mime Festival)
Director: Basil Twist
Music: Yumiko Tanaka
Design: Peter Flaherty (video)
Lighting(s): Andrew Hill, Ayumu Poe Saegusa (associate lighting design)
Sound: Greg Duffin