Daily report 16 / 22 January 2011

This afternoon I visited a Noh performance and came later to the evening rehearsal.

When I entered the room I could feel a special tension. Some actors were rehearsing choreographies of sword dance; others were preparing the swords and costumes were checked. The coming performance is announced....

First the choreographies are being rehearsed. Fumio gives instructions to improve. The final fight is slightly changed in choreography and rhythm which contribute to the climax. When all the choreographies are done the whole performance is being rehearsed.

Without the singing of Mihoko the performance lasts a bit more than 20 minutes.

It is the first time I see Fumio work under pressure. He says to me he feels the nerves coming up and feels insecure if he will remember all the choreographies well. He has two roles: director and performer. He has to switch many times between the two parts which must put him under much pressure and responsibility. It is nice and impressing to see how smoothly Hiroshi takes over when Fumio has to give his attention to other things. I see Fumio doing very well combining his part as a performer and as a director. He even has the flexibility to make a joke and have a laugh.

The applause is changed a little bit after a good suggestion of one of the actors.

Finally the mise en scene is done very quickly. Sometimes the positions are placed more precisely.  There is no time to finish the last scenes. Everyone helps to pack all the props, costumes, technical equipment and bring it to the little truck.

Fumio and Mihoko give their last comments to the actors outside the building. I feel proud of these people and their theatrical work. I want to wish them an excellent performance and to enjoy this. Driving home Fumio tells me he told the actors they will perform tomorrow for me. I feel so honored and moved I can't response properly to this warm gesture. I feel so happy I can follow so closely their artistic work after visiting their performance in Holland in 2004. I was impressed en inspired by Sakuya. We corresponded 2 years and now I am here in Tokyo with Mihoko and Fumio and all the people of O-Getsu Ryu. It is a great opportunity !!!

I am convinced they will bring tomorrow a very interesting and dramatic story. This is a good warming up for their performance in April in The Globe Theater. In Holland we say to wish each other good luck: Toi Toi Toi ! I wish the people of O-Getsu Ryu a warm Toi Toi Toi for the performance of tomorrow.