This project is an international co-production between the Scotland-based theatre company Vanishing Point and KAAT (Kanagawa Arts Theatre). Vanishing Point, acclaimed as “one of the UK’s most singular theatre companies” (The Guardian), continuously engages in international creative work. KAAT is a theatre that aims to be “open” to all and is committed to creating and sharing a diverse range of performing arts, including theatre, musicals, and dance.
The project began with discussions in 2021, followed by workshops held in both Yokohama and Glasgow. It came to fruition through the collaboration of Japanese and British actors and creative staff.

Based on Haruki Murakami’s short stories “Shinagawa Monkey” and “Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey”, this production is a fantastical “comic mystery” centered around a monkey who falls love with human women and steals their names in an attempt to fulfill his desire. Beneath this premise lie layered themes of coercion, guilt and redemption, memory, and identity.
With bilingual dialogue that fluidly shifts between Japanese and English, the distinctive visual language, and the integration of surtitles into the spatial design, we were able to create a new form of multilingual theatrical expression.

In this video, the results of an exciting international collaboration are featured through interviews with director Matthew Lenton, the Japanese and British cast and crew, and KAAT’s artistic director Keishi Nagatsuka, along with glimpses into the creative process, in addition to a filmed recording of the performance.

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)

This work was produced for Japan Foundation’s International Creations in Performing Arts 2024.
https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/culture/perform/creation/2024/index.html

＜Performance Credits＞
Based on stories by: Haruki MURAKAMI（From the short story “Shinagawa Monkey” and “Confession of a Shinagawa Monkey”）

Cast
Rin NASU, Sandy GRIERSON, Satoru DATE, Elicia DALY, Yuya TANAKA, Sam STOPFORD, Junko KANO, Aisha GOODMAN
Ailie COHEN (Puppeteer)

Creative Team
Conceived, Staged & Directed by: Matthew LENTON
Associate Direction: Sandy GRIERSON
Text by Sandy GRIERSON, Matthew LENTON
Japanese Translation & Dramaturgy: Nozomi ABE
Scenography: Kei ISHIHARA
Lighting Design: Simon WILKINSON
Sound Design & Composition: Mark MELVILLE
Costume Design: Sacico ITO
Hair, Wigs &Make Up Design: Eri AKAMATSU（Esper.）
Puppet Design & Making: Ailie COHEN
Associate Artist: Joanna BOWMAN
Interpreter: Yoko TOKITA
Stage Manager: Chinatsu IWAYA
Stage Manager: Gillian RICHARDS
Technical Manager: Josh BROWN
Production Manager: Toru HIRAI
Assistant Stage Manager: Kohtaro YOKOZAWA, Tomoka YAMADA
Chief Electrician: Maki UEYAMA
LX Board Programmer: Katsura INADA
Sound Engineer: Daisuke HOSHINO
Sound Operator: Yu TAKEDAK, Kana EGUCHI
Wardrobe: Akemi KINOSHITA
Hair & Makeup: Michiyo UENO
Surtitle Operator: Keiko NAGATA
Interpreter: Sonoko ISHII（Lighting）
Production Staff: Izumi OHTOMO

Kanagawa Arts Theatre
Artistic Director: Keishi NAGATSUKA
Managing Director: Mahito HORIUCHI
Production Staff: Osamu SUZUKI, Hiroko KANEKO

Vanishing Point Theatre Company
Artistic Director: Matthew LENTON
Executive Producer: Severine WYPER
Administrative Producer: Eleanor SCOTT
Production Manager: Niall BLACK

Distribution video production: Masanobu NISHINO

＜Subtitling Credits＞
English Translation: Nozomi ABE
Japanese Translation: Keiko NAGATA