At last they came to Japan !
Since no one in Japan seems to write, I will start.
In spite of lots of reviews and criticism about "The Carman", I was so excited that I could forget everything I've read and enjoyed a lot. It was very new thing for me, real and live, like... a film without words, a musical without singing.
The music and stage sets were beautiful, effective, and well-constructed.
On the very first performance day, April 9th, the hall was 90% full at the Orchard Hall (2150 seats capacity) and I felt quite high tension not only from the stage but the audience.
Curiously I liked the first day, because of this tension, I could be so excited during the show.
And the second time a week after, the audience seemed all relaxed but I became more analytic...?
Since the Act I is an old story that we see often in films, the unpredictable development in Act II seems to go fast and I asked myself many questions after the show.
Why did Lana kill Luca instead of Angelo ? (Personally I wanted Angelo(rather than Lana) shoot Luca after his last kiss...)
Why did Angelo kiss to Luca before his death ?
What is love, seduction, sex, violence, death ? etc...
I saw 2 castings of Luca with Ewan Wardrop (April 9th) and Alan Vincent(April 16th), completely different type.
Since I saw 2 different Luca with the same casting of Lana(Saranne Curtin) and Angelo(Arthur Pita), I could not help thinking about the difference of 2 Luca on stage.
Alan, typical "Carmen" image for me, physically powerful, was fit as a seducer in Act I, but when the story turns in Act II, Ewan looked very good, showing the contrast of his power and weakness.
Scott Ambler was fantastic Dino, greasy, disgusting, and miserable.
When he appeared for the last curtain call, still smeared with blood but smiling, it was SOMETHING !
The only one scene that I didn't understand because of my ignorance (!), the dance in cabaret, parody of Martha Graham.
The first time I saw, I thought it was a qualm of conscience in Luca, but when I heard a laughter from my back, I got lost...
In March/April 2003 (and also in 2004 ?), AMP will be back with Swan Lake.
Since there were not only usual ballet-goers or theater-goers but also the people who like films, it will be more and more difficult to get seats...
Last Wednesday, I also had a chance to go to Matthew's talk show organized by British Council.
Matthew talked with Yuki Sato, journalist, with an interpreter, about his works, music, dance, his thoughts about actual dance situation, etc.
I was very lucky to have a seat in the front row.
And for the last 30 minutes they gave us the chance to ask a question. Well...I wasn't lucky enough !
What a exciting week !
Junko
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