Lost Village, a new theater production co-commissioned
and co-produced by the National Theater Company of China, Hong Kong
Arts Festival, and New National Theater in Tokyo, will premiere at
the 2007 Hong Kong Arts Festival from March 20 to 24.
Lost Village is co-written and co-directed by Li Liuyi
from Beijing and Oriza Hirata from Tokyo. These two pioneers of
contemporary theater share the same passion: the dialectic of man
and history.
The story unfolds with the breaking news of an archaeological
discovery in a remote village in China, revealing treasures that
trace back to an unknown chapter in history.
The news stops the construction of a Japanese factory, where
Chinese and Japanese officials, archaeologists, students,
businessmen and looters start arriving. A local teahouse becomes
the center of the unexpected encounters and conflicts.
An intriguing story seemingly about the excavation of an ancient
archaeological site, Lost Village digs deep into cultural
record, offering insights into Sino-Japanese history while
exploring humanity and a global vision.
This unprecedented collaborative theater project brings talents
from two countries together. The creative sets, including the use
of oriental colors, are designed by renowned Chinese stage designer
Yan Long with input from famous Japanese lighting designer Tamotsu
Iwaki. The 13-strong cast is comprised of eight actors from China
and five from Japan.
As a production including both China and Japan, Lost
Village is important in three aspects. First, the three arts
organizations in this joint venture have always put great emphasis
on nurturing original works and building cultural heritage.
Secondly, this is the first time the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the
National Theater Company of China and the New National Theater of
Tokyo, have collaborated. Thirdly, 2007 has been singled out as a
year to further cultural relationships between China and Japan.
Lost Village is a symbol of these joint efforts in setting
a milestone in the chronicles of Asian drama.
Rehearsals for Lost Village are currently under way in
Beijing. After its world premiere, Lost Village will be
staged at China's Children's Art Theater in Beijing from the March
31 to April 8, and then performed at Tokyo's Seinendan Theater from
May 15 to 20.
Touring Schedule:
Hong Kong
20 to 24 March 2007??? Studio Theater, Hong Kong
Cultural Centre
(Morgan Stanley is sponsoring the premiere run at the 2007 Hong
Kong Arts Festival)
Beijing
31 March to 8 April 2007??? China Children's Art
Theater
Tokyo
15 to 20 May 2007?????? Seinendan
Theater
(CRI.cn February 12, 2007)
