17 — 19.05
Satoko Ichihara Tokyo
KITTY
theatre
| Japanese, Korean, Cantonese → FR, NL, EN | ⧖ ±1h50 | €20 / €16 | Contains references to sexual violence
Playwright and director Satoko Ichihara is known for her fearless yet subtle probing of taboos and sexual contradictions in Japanese society today. In her new creation, KITTY, she zooms in on a society populated by white cats, a parallel universe frighteningly similar to ours.
Here, Ichihara creates a sharp and humorous analogy between the treatment of animals and the objectification of women. Her work grew out of research on sex trafficking from various perspectives, the position of women in current society, and the consumption of meat. The performance asks incisive questions about the comically absurd distortions that arise from mass production and consumption, patriarchy, capitalism, and the global homogenisation of desire. Livestock whose reproduction is controlled to become food. Sexual contexts entrap people without them realising it. Appalling work conditions in the pursuit of profit above all else. The word 'kawaii' (cute) appears again and again, but its meaning changes each time.
A cast of actresses from Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong brings to life a play brimming with energy and satire that will send shock waves through audiences. This radical redefinition of life and sexuality is a must-see.
Presentation: Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Théâtre Les Tanneurs
Written and directed by: Satoko Ichihara | Cast: Sung Soo-yeon (Creative VaQi), Yurie Nagayama (Seinendan), Birdy Wong Ching Yan (Artocrite Theater), Yuka Hanamoto (Yuka Hanamoto × Moe Matsuki) | Music and sound design: Masamitsu Araki | Costumes: Shie Minamino (Osushi) | Scenography: Tomomi Nakamura | Lighting: Rie Uomori (kehaiworks) | Video: Kotaro Konishi | Dramaturgy: Takaaki Kumakura | Stage management: Yuhi Kobayashi | Production management: Rika Kihara, Mizuki Kakita, Shunsuke Manabe | Promotional design: Eiko Sasaki | English surtitles: Aya Ogawa
Production: ROHM Theatre Kyoto
With the support of ROHM Theatre Kyoto (Kyoto City Music Art Cultural Promoting Foundation), Kyoto City | In cooperation with Kinosaki International Art Center (Toyooka City)
With the assistance of the Saison Foundation
