Meet the dancers!! 5

I know you were waiting for me!
so here today I give you...

Korakot Puangsawad A.K.A Bubble

―――How many times have you been to Japan?

It’s my first time. I’m nervous. I loved and liked Japan for a long time, and I wanted to come to Japan all the time, so I’m glad and nervous. It’s like I’m in Japan!!!

―――How is the rehearsal going?

It’s going well. Sabai Sabai! (Good good) I can do freely and I’m adapting.

―――What was your first impression of Ide’s dance?

I like it. It’s contemporary style and I like it. It’s flowing. You can’t see anything like this in Thai. When I saw Ide dance, I thought it was amazing! A fat boy dancing! I thought if he could dance, I can too!

―――What do you think of Ide?

Cute. He’s a nice person. Interesting. He gets many ideas while working. It makes me want to know what’s going to happen next, what he’s thinking.

―――What do you think “Kokashita” will be like?

I think it will be a fun show. Dance that’s not like dancing. It has a good mixture of Thai culture and Japanese culture.

―――What is your favorite Japanese food?

Sushi! Sashimi!

―――Are there any places you want to go in Japan?

Mt. Fuji.

―――Can we have a message to the Japanese audience?

I want many people to see “Kokashita”

―――Do you have any questions to the Japanese members?

Nakumura, what do you feel when you’re at home, in the studio, on stage? (Because you always have the same expression)And what does your wife think about it?


And last but of course not least, I give you Mr. choreographer, Shigehiro Ide!

―――How is the rehearsal going?

It was one of the most short creation period including the Idevian creations. But, the members had really strong originalities, so the ideas came out smoothly. I think it has become something more than I had expected.

―――Do you feel any difference between the creation in Bangkok and Tokyo?

I did make some choreography and scenes in Bangkok, but it was time to figure out what kind of movement suits who. So, when we started rehearsing in Japan, I knew everyone’s body movement, so every thing went very smoothly. I think it was a good opportunity to get to experience the creation with them directly.

―――Do you feel any difference from the Idevian Crew?

I feel that it is different from the Idevian Crew in a way that it is hard to communicate the nuances specific to the Japanese culture. But that gives way to new expressions and impressions and is very refreshing. To be specific, I feel that the tempo they have is different. The speed that they use their breath. But they adapt very well so after two or three times, they’re fine, and I think this has become really interesting

―――Was there anything you have strong impressions on about Bangkok?

I was hot. It was just hot, but when you go inside it’s cold. It was just excessive and I just laughed.

―――I think they are just all full of energy. Do they have any worries at all?

About Kero, I heard that he keeps a diary every day, but I just wonder what he’s writing. What is he writing in his diary?

Meet the dancers! 4

Hello there, sorry to keep you waiting, let's go on with the introduction to our great dancers!

Today we give you Tatsuya Nakamura and Num!! Here's our guy from Japan, Tatsuya Nakamura.
―――How is the rehearsal going?

It’s different from our usual Idevian Crew. The language is different, and we spend more time on communicating to each other. There’s things that can be understood by words, and there’s other things understood through the body, and when it’s by words, there’s interpretation there, but things through the body passes on very fast. I think there’s more “dialogue” in the creation where Ide changes some moves to fit their nuances, and instruct the feeling and atmosphere. It’s not that there’s a right Idevian answer, we’re searching within this piece, and the image is being born. The slow speed and winding process of the communication is not necessarily a negative thing, and we are sharing the process of thinking and feeling together.

―――Do you feel any difference in the creation in Bangkok and rehearsals in Tokyo?

I’ve never thought of that before. It’s just me being in Bangkok, or being in my home ground, in Tokyo. I think we are walking each step.

―――Do you have any questions to any one of the members?

Kero, teach me how to make Tom yam kung.

―――Now these are questions for you.

―From Num：Are you OK???

I think that tension is important to creation too. I’m observing myself as one performer.

―from Bubble：Nakumura, what do you feel when you’re at home, in the studio, on stage? (Because you always have the same expression)And what does your wife think about it?

I’m just poker face. For real I’m sensitive! I’m different at home, and I just think tension is important too!

Now we give you Grisana Punpeng A.K.A "Num"

―――How many times have you been in Japan?

It’s my fifth time. The past four times were all for traveling. My last visit was in last May. It’s different this time because when you’re on vacation, you have to go to many places in a limited time, but this time it’s for work, so I don’t have to be going places.

―――How is the rehearsal?

It’s different from what I have been doing before. I have to jump into dancing.

―――Do you feel any difference in the workshop done in Bangkok and in Tokyo?

Because there’s nothing else to do other than this, I can be more focused. After a few days, I got used to the structure of the rehearsals and what Ide is trying to communicate.

―――What impressions do you have of Ide?

It wasn’t like anything I’ve seen before and was very interesting. Ide’s work is really nothing like what I’ve ever seen. It’s not traditional. I like it. I was surprised to see his dance. It flows, and when I saw him dance it looked easy, but when I tried it was difficult. It has a nice flow.

―――Do you have any places of Japan that you want to go?

Every where. The past four times I went to Fukuoka, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, so I want to go to places far away like Hokkaido. If I had time, I want to explore many places. And also Mt. Fuji.

―――Can we have a message to the Japanese audience?

Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy as much as we are making it.

―――Do you have any questions to the Japanese members?

To Nakamura. Are you OK??? (because your face is always the same. And make that three question marks!)

Meet the dancers! 3

Were you waiting for me?


I know you were! so here we go! Today we present you Egg and Out from Thailand!

This lovely dancer is Chayanuch Akjiratikarl A.K.A "Egg"

―――How many times have you been in Japan?

It’s my first time.

――How is the rehearsal going?

It’s fun and exciting. It’s tough but I want to challenge. Ide laughs during the rehearsals, and makes us happy and want to try.

―――Were there any difference in rehearsals in Japan and Bangkok?

It wasn’t easy when I just came here. In his choreograph, I have to do both acting and dancing, and it’s a challenge.

―――What do you think of his style?

It’s very interesting. The story comes into his body and he makes it into dance. You can’t see anything like this in Thai. Sometimes the choreograph is humorous, and I think it’s very good.

―――What is your favorite Japanese food?

Curry rice! I also like Crepes. I like everything.

―――Is there any place you would like to go in Japan?

I want to go to Hokkaido, because I want to see snow.

―――Do you have any questions to the Japanese members?

Aichan. Why are you so skinny? You dance all day and don’t eat anything!

Now I give you the lovely twin sister Chanchana Akjiratiharl A.K.A "Out"

―――How many times have you been to Japan?

It’s my first time.

―――What do you think about Ide?

Very strange. I have never seen dance like this. I have done contemporary before, but it was nothing like this. It looks very simple but it’s really into details. Very deep. You have to use your whole body. Ide always makes us enjoy his work. He tries to explain to the Thai members, and make us enjoy and relax.

―――What’s your favorite food?

Curry rice! And what is it in Japanese? TONKATSU. But I like everything.

―――Is there any place you want to go in Japan?

Disney Land!!

―――Can you give a message to the Japanese audience?

You cannot miss “Kokashita”!

―――Do you have any questions to the Japanese dancers?

To Aichan and Mineko, How can you keep a cute baby face like that?

Meet the dancers! 2

Hello there!

I know you have been waiting todays issue. So now I present you Kero and Mineko Saito!

Here is our guy Kanison Youngprampree A.K.A Kero, from Thailand!

―――How many times have you been in Japan?

It’s my 6th time. All of them are for work. I would like to come to Japan for a trip some day.

―――How is the rehearsal going?

It’s going well. It feels the same as in Thai.

―――What do you think of Ide?

He is full of ideas and his expressions are rich. I think he has the instinct to see people. He has the ability to determine what suits who.

―――Are there any places you would like to go in Japan?

I already went to Mt. Fuji, and the ocean near Aomori, and to Asakusa, so I want to go to eat apples. I would also like to go to Mt. Fuji again.

―――Can we have a message to the Japanese audience?

I want you to see the Thai people dancing Ide’s dance.

―――Do you have any questions to the members?

To Ide. What do you think of us, and what do you think of me?

Now I would like to introduce you to Mineko Saito, from Japan!

―――How is the rehearsal going?

It’s very enjoyable. Maybe care free, so to say. Maybe my pacing goes along with the others. It feels comfortable being in this group.

―――Do you feel any difference with the Idevian Crew? And if so, in what ways?

It’s different from the Idevian Crew. We have unknown factors. When it’s with the idevian dancers, there is secure feeling in a good way, but this time the Thai members have unknown factors and I wonder what kind of movements they will do, and what kind of characters they are going to express, and it’s very refreshing and interesting. It’s a different stimuli than usual.

―――Do you feel any difference in the creation in Bangkok and Tokyo?

In Bangkok, we had the nervousness of meeting each other for the first time, and I was scared, so I had to have this spirit to get up and dance. Now, I think we have the feeling of togetherness. At the beginning it was carefully watching each others move, but now I think we are all accepting each others existence.

―――What was your impression when you first met the Thai members?

I heard of the audition held in October, that there were 2 other Minekos there! So I was happy when I saw some members that I had noticed in the video. The two Minekos (Egg and Out) are like me in their attitude. Like their arms crossed together, and their way of using the space when they dance is really similar to me. It’s very easy to dance with them, but because they are much bigger than me, I’m moving bigger than usual. Dynamically! There aren’t many Japanese dancers who are this much alike to me. I have danced with French dancers, but it’s my first time to have dancers this similar to me.

―――Do you have any special episodes of Bangkok?

When we ate really hot spicy food, we got very chatty. It’s nice to have a fun meal. It doesn’t go like this with Japanese food, and it was a lot of fun having food with the Japanese members as well. I was also surprised by the electricity shorted out. Well, we really made it there.

―――Do you have any questions to the Thai members?

I want to know every one’s life style in Thai. What their every day life is like.

Meet the dancers!

Hello there!
Our performance is coming up in a few weeks now, and we want to introduce the dancers to you.
So here we present you the lovely dancers. Hold your horses, we're going one by one, so don't miss them!
Today we'll start with Ai Kaneko and Dia!

Ai Kaneko
Ai Kaneko

―――How is the rehearsal going?

Everyone is really free and it’s fun. It was hard and tiring for the first three or four days, but compared to that, now it’s pretty calm and easy.

―――How was the workshop and creation in Bangkok?

It was a long time since I participated in a workshop, so it was refreshing. We did a group work apart from the variations, we did some group works with one Japanese dancer and two Thai dancers in one group. In that group, we had to re-create and make a small composition from a certain choreograph, I was in a group with Num and Bubble, and we were the “Shy team”. All 3 of us were to shy and couldn’t start the composition! (laughs) The language was different. I don’t have much opportunity to do things like this in Japan, so I was confused at first, but　when we started to move, we didn’t need words, and we some how understood each other. It was fun. Also, there was this chewy sweets made of coconuts, and that was delicious. I think it was sort of like a “Wagashi” ( Japanese traditional sweets) .

―――What did you feel when you first met the Thai dancers?

I did read their profiles before I went to Bangkok, so when I met them, I thought no wonder. And when I saw them move, I understood why Ide made the choice to choose these dancers. They are all so sweet. They gave us message cards saying “I’m glad to meet you” and presents. This doesn’t happen in Japan, so. They gave us T shirts too.

―――Do you feel any difference from the works of Idevian Crew?

Definitely different. …But I don’t know what. The Japanese dancers have always been with Ide, so we understand a lot without words, but for this time we can’t use that. It’s starting everything from scratch. Fresh! I think the choreograph is Ide, but it’s completely different. It’s also different from just having non-Idevian Japanese dancers.

―――Last question, do you have any questions to the Thai members?

I want to ask Dia what kind of men she likes.

Now we give you Akiira Modesakoon A.K.A "Dia"!

Dia

―――How many times have you been to Japan?

It’s my first time. It’s my first time to go overseas. My impression of Japan is that it has old traditions, and people being busy, stressed. I don’t have much image of Japanese people smiling.

―――What do you think about the members?

I think we are a very good team. We all get together very well, and they are all enjoyable, so we can share the same fun atmosphere, and I think I’m lucky to be able to participate with these members.

―――What did you feel when you first saw Ide’s dance?

It was interesting. It’s cute. I think it’s cute and nice.

―――What do you think of Ide?

Kawaii!! (Cute) and Funny. I’m happy to get to work with him.

―――What is your favorite Japanese food?

Everything! Curry! Sushi! Sashimi, everything. Snacks are the best. I love Japanese food very much. All type!

―――Do you have any place you want to go in Japan?

I would like to go to Mt.Fuji. And also see Sakura. (cherry blossoms)

―――A short message to the Japanese audience please.

Thank you for coming to see the show. I want you to laugh a lot. Burst out laughing!

―――Any questions to the Japanese members?

Aichan. Are you tireless? You just keep dancing but don’t seem tired. Do you get tired at all?

We're hangin' there / See us on NHK TV!

Hello there, this is M.





The Thai dancers are getting used to the different culture, and seemed quite relaxed than 10 days ago when they first came.


So now I want to share with you the sunny faces and scenes during rehearsals, other than just dancing pictures. Here we go!






A lovely Aiiiiiiiiiii----------n (A famous joke by Ken Shimura, a comedian. Again, say that to any Japanese around you and I'm positive you'd make them laugh) by Dia :)

Oh, ho, whoa, what have we here?? I spy a little something going on! mmm, nice harem. Yes, it's a great team altogether, and we are all very close.

Our next issue is going to be interviews with the dancers, and our secrets to "Kokashita" to be revealed... (or maybe so) Don't miss it!

We had TV camera crews from NHK (Major television network of Japan) get a footage of our secret rehearsals. We are going to be on the morning program "Konichiwa 1to 6ken" (Although NHK is world wide, I'm afraid it's going to be a program only for the Kanto area of Japan) on the 27th from 11:05AM, so those of you living in the Kanto area, don't miss channel 1!!

The footage altogether is about the whole Festival/Tokyo, so our rehearsal may be on air for just a few seconds.

For those of you overseas, I will try to get some footage if possible, so just hang on there for just a moment please.

posted by M

Come Together! :)

Hello, this is M again.

The first rehearsal together in Tokyo was on the 16th, and it was the first day the dancers met each other again after the audition and workshop in Thai at the end of December 2008.


So, once they saw each other at the studio, they both sparkle with smiles and cries of joy!

(it was like a nice reunion party)


and the once cold and spacy studio turns into.... rush hour Tokyo.

This is "flex time week" (OK, I admit I picked a rather exaggerated picture)

Ok and it see how it becomes the Grand Central Station NY! (Although I think it's better than rush hour Tokyo.)The studio seems about three times smaller, and although it was really warm in Tokyo this day, it was definitely warmer than the weather inside the studio!


This is the waiting and watching area of the studio. You see them nice and relaxed now, but they are destined to dance and dance and dance in no minute!

You see the progress, the dancing, the great progress non-stop!

Dancing

Dancing

And more dancing

And more dancing!!!

Welcome and YOKOSO! Thai dancers!!!

Hello there, M again :)
This is the blog for Feb. 15th.
-----

Feb. 15th

Welcome! Wilkommen! and Yokoso! to Japan!

At last we get to greet the dancer members from Thailand today.

Yuko, the head production manager was so anxious to greet them at the airport, so worried about the Thai members...It turns out that we didn't need to worry at all. They all came safely together, and they were full of energy after their trip from Bankok.

It was very warm today in Tokyo, and the temperature was high as it usually is in April. Everyone is curious with questions and excitement.

"When will it get cold? How cold will it get? Will it be warmer? I can't wait for it to be cold!" Hold your horses everyone!

The weather report was saying that Tokyo is going to have a freeze from tomorrow, and I'm guessing that being cold might not be that appealing after a couple of days... but we'll see!
We just really hope that they don't catch a cold.

So, after we settle into the apartment that the Thai members are staying, I decide to join in with dinner at the diner right next to the apartment.
*Note that (of course) their usage of chopsticks are super PERFECT!

Although the "Diner" was a type serving typicalJapanese home cuisine, they naturally pick up whatever they like and make perfect Japanese meals.
(with just a little questions like, "What is this?" "What about this?" "How do I eat this?" "Yes, a small rice")

Picture time!!
That's the twin dancers, Egg and Out. Todays menu is fried fish and dumplings and miso soup.

Their smile just beams. Don't you think so?

Three wonderful smiles by Dia, Kero and Num.

Kero has been in Japan a couple of times, and he has been in shows like "Akaoni" by Noda Hideki, and "Indian Summer" for the Hirosaki Gekijo.

Last but not least, a great smile from Bubble.

His menu for today is grilled fish (he chose the bigger one) miso soup and Japanese mashed Yamaimo.

mmmm!

What was really surprising was that rice sprinkles called NORITAMA was an incredible hit for them!

(Rice sprinkles are a really popular home thing in Japan, think of it as butter, peanut butter, chocolate spread, whatever spread that you have with bread. It comes in many flavors and there are hundreds and thousands of kinds. Noritama is an especially popular Rice sprinkle. Ask any Japanese around you and they'll know)

Everyone sprinkles them on their bowl of rice and "Aroi Aroi!"

Wow, I'm not that big into Noritamas, but it sure looks good when they eat it with their pretty smiles.

I hope the Noritama power works for the first day of rehearsal tomorrow!!!

The incredible STRETCHes!!

Hey there, this is the blog for Feb 11th.
-----

Hello I'm N!
I was told from M to write today's blog. Nice to meet you!
I am also helping out "Kokashita" as one of the volunteer members!

Today I would like to introduce you the INCREDIBLE STRETCHES of the dancers.
Oh my, they are so flexible! really! It's really surprising!
They seem to do it so easily, that I started wondering that

hmmm... Maybe I can do it too!!
I, I think maybe human beings are ALL really flexible...

OK! Take that back and NO WAY!!! Look at her! flat as the floor!
180 degrees! 180?! (That's beautiful Mineko Saito)
Now I really understand that dance is based on the flexible body, and they can't do without it.

That's Tatsuya Nakamura... almost there!

and that's Ide-san. yay Mr. Choreograhper!

So, after the boot-camp stretches, again, lead by Ide, the choreograph is making solid progress.

Of course the flexibility lives and is used in the dance.

Today the dance is done parts by parts, but it's exciting to imagine what it would be like as a whole piece.

I am telling you, it looks like fun!!!

posted by N

Day3

Hello there, it's M again.
I am translating the blog for Feburary 10th.
Sorry for your inconvenience, because we launched the Japanese blog earlier, there is a little difference in time that we publish the English version.
We are expecting to catch up, so please hang on there!
So, here it is for Feb.10th.
-----


Feb 10th


We are still rehearsing only with the Japanese dancers today.
The company was in Thailad at the end of the year (until December 30th! wow) to spend time together, but the Thai dancers are coming to Tokyo on the 15th, so that's why we're rehearsing just with the Japanese dancers.

Can't wait to see them!

Of course a substantial amount of choreograph has been done in Bankok, but we are making quite a bit of progress here.

Today I have a volunteer staff member beside me, and she is being surprised by how fast the dancers can memorize the combinations!


The studio is really chilly today, but once the dancers start dancing, yes, sweatty T-shirts!
So here's one cool dance shot.


Oh don't you think that's a pretty cool shot! I'm starting to think I should take up my carreer in photography...NO, I know, just kidding, it's not me, but it's the dancer (this is pretty Ai Kaneko) that's cool. yeah, I knew it! (sniff) i) Historical treasure from ancient wallpaitings. Can be seen in South America.

Nope, wrong answer. Some how Ide and the dancers get the hidden meaning in this messege... hmmm. How about you?

Aww, a nice relaxed moment. (No, he's not dead)

Another relax sho... no, that's not a relax shot, that's pure hard daning baby!

Getting started with KOKASHITA!

Hello there, I'm M.

Welcome to the rehearsal documentary blog for "Kokashita"!

...So, what is this "Kokashita" anyways?

Here's your answer!; "Kokashita" is one of the dance performaces included as a part of the "Festival/Tokyo" which is to be held from Feburary to March, 2009.

It is a new piece choreograhped by Shigehiro ide, the leader of Idevian crew combining Japanese and Thai dancers!... Let me be honest...it's going to be pretty exciting!

Okay, want to know more?; Let me get you the official explanation of the show.

'Known for his originall and humorous dance works, the leader of Idevian Crew embarks on a collaboration project together with dancers from Thailand. Ide himself has taken the opportunity to go to Bankok, where he selected a number of dancers who are to perform together with the Japanese dancers at Festival/Tokyo. This special team will illustrate the cultural gap and differences between Tokyo and Bankok today.

"Kokashita" means "underneath the elevated railway/highway tracks" (I know, it's extremely long in English but only takes one word in Japanese!!)

There aren't such differences between the Kokashitas of Tokyo and Bankok, but the scenery underneath had a clear difference.

Ide's unique choreographs depicting cultural differences and small gaps will illustrate the contemporary situations of the two cities...

Want to know more about the Festival/Tokyo?

visit our website at http://festival-tokyo.jp/

Want to know more about Ide, Idevian Crew and his past works?

Visit their official website at http://www.idevian.com/ja/index.htm

Wait! Don't close this blog yet! You haven't written down the dates and theater!!

"Kokashita"Running schedules;

March 14th (Sat) 17:00

15th (Sun) 17:00

16th (Mon) 19:00 *Post performace talk with the dancers will be held after show

17th (Tue) 19:00

18th (Wed) no performace

19th (Thu) 19:00 *Post performance talk with Ide will be held after show

20th (Fri) 14:00

"Kokashita" will be performed at;

The Owlspot Theater http://www.owlspot.jp/access/index.html

Closest station is 'Higashi Ikebukuro' on the Tokyo metro Yurakucho line.

"Kokashita" ticket prices;
Adults: 4500yen

Student (please show us your student ID): 3000 yen

Students and chidren under 18: 1000 yen

Book your tickets now at festival-tokyo.jp/en

We will be waitin for you at the theater! Love from Tokyo!