Parallel Normalities is a collaborative project by Japanese playwright Ishigami Natsuki and Thai playwright/artist Nuttamon Pramsumran. The two artists have been in dialogue and creation since 2021 and as the culmination of this project,“Whispering Blue – I heard your voice from the back of a blue car” was performed in Dansai District, Loei Province, Thailand.
This work is an adaptation of the prototype version of the play “Ao ni au” that Ishigami produced in Kyoto in 2017. For the creation, the production team conducted joint study and residency in Dansai and Shizuoka.
Audiences witnessed the performance by being present at the time and place described in the daily messages(scripts)received via LINE from Fah. On the special website, photos taken during the performance by Ryu and a diary written by Tomo were also available.
Special Website: https://whisperingblue.wixsite.com/whisperingblue/en

“Whispering Blue – I heard your voice from the back of a blue car” was produced for the Japan Foundation’s International Creations in Performing Arts 2023.
https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/culture/perform/creation/2023/index.html

＜Performance Information＞
Date: 17-23 July 2023
Sites:Various points around the city center of Dansai district, Loei province

Organized by:Place and Narrative, Prayoon For Art Foundation
Co-organized by:The Japan Foundation
Supported by:The Saison Foundation(International Projects
Support Program)
This work was a part of Loei Art Fes 2023: “Third Place”.

Written and Directed by:Nuttamon PRAMSUMRAN
Inspired by “Ao ni Au” by:ISHIGAMI Natsuki

Cast/Collaborator
Ryu:SUZUKI Ryuichiro
Tomo:SHIMODA Tomonori
Beer:Arnuparp JANTAKAEW
Kean:Songsilp WANGDUM
P’Pu:Pornsadet JANCHAMCHOI
Uncle Chalad:Chalad SRIKUMPHA
Som:Siwaporn PROMMAWAN
Preaw:Sirirat MEESOOK
Doi:Kritsakorn KANICHAYANAN
Pus:Sirasit SENANUCH
Hong Cha café
Basketball club behind Srisongrak Wittaya School
Niyom Tamsang restaurant
Ban Phon Nhong community
Ta Cafe and Food

Ryu’s photos by:SUZUKI Ryuichiro
Tomo’s Diary by:SHIMODA Tomonori

Produced by:TOMITA Chigusa
Curated by:Siree RIEWPAIBOON
Project Manager:KUWAHARA Hikaru
Coordinator:Kritsakorn KANITCHAYANAN
Assistant Producer:Wayla AMATATHAMMACHAD

Performance Script Translator:
TOMITA Chigusa
KUWAHARA Hikaru

Tomo’s diary Translator:
Piyawan SAPSAMROUM
KUWAHARA Hikaru

Special Thanks to:
Jitsai BANCHON
Everyone who supported this project in Dansai, Gotemba and Shizuoka City.
SAKAI Yukina

Filmed at Various points around the city center of Dansai district, Loei province on July 17～23, 2023.
Video produced by:Place and Narrative, Prayoon For Art Foundation, The Japan Foundation

Directed by:Praepisut PEECHAPAT

Camera:
Chanapat SOONTORNGUMJOHNPANICH
Thaniya CHAIKHAM
Praepisut PEECHAPAT
Jarudet CHAILERT

Edited by:Thaniya CHAIKHAM
Colorist:Chanapat SOONTORNGUMJOHNPANICH

Voice in Video footage
Fah/Ao:Siree RIEWPAIBOON

＜Online subtitles＞
English subtitles translation:KUWAHARA Hikaru
Thai subtitles translation:Piyawan SAPSAMROUM
Chinese subtitles translation (Simplified):Zican LIU
Chinese subtitles translation (Traditional):NITTA Yukio
Japanese subtitles translation:TOMITA Chigusa