About the performance

Inspired by Japanese mythology, Urashima Taro fuses stunning visuals with human-size puppets and paper theatre to tell the story of a poor fisherman seduced by the mysterious Lady Otohime. This solo performance explores power, seduction and death, with an underlying sense of humour. It transcends Japanese traditions and Western modernity with its truly unique duet between actor and puppet

Key Personnel

Aya Nakamura - Performer, puppet maker, set designer, writer
Paul Piris - Director, writer, set and video designer
Nao Nagai - Lighting designer
Juley Ayres - Voice over
Phil Newman - Set builder
Monika Kita - Photographer
Adam Hypki - Design adviser

Production Information

Running time at full length: 1 hour

Suitable for age 14+

Light use of text

Use of recorded music

Does not require a clear understanding of English or another language

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for a studio setting

Number of people on tour: 3

Number of performers on stage: 1

Available to tour from October

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

We offer workshops that combine acting and puppeteering, based on the techniques used in Urashima Taro. We employ practice puppets specially designed for these workshops. We also provide workshops in paper theatre inspired by a traditional Japanese form of toy theatre considered as the origin of Manga, as well as puppet making workshops. Workshops can vary from half a day to a full week and can be adapted to the particular needs of each venue.

Company History

Founded in 2005, Rouge28 is a company of international artists based in London. Rouge28 has produced Heartsnatcher, The Story of the Panda Bears (2005), Madame (2006), Postalgia (2008), and Urashima Taro (2010).

We have presented our productions in thirty different venues across London, England and Europe. In 2010 we have organised a national tour of Urashima Taro supported by Arts Council England. We have been selected to the next World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières (France).

Recent Productions / Tours

For the last two years we have developed and produced Urashima Taro. We have presented the development of our work in London at Shunt Lounge, The Little Angel Theatre and Camden’s People Theatre.

In 2010 we were awarded a grant by Arts Council England to organise a national tour of Urashima Taro across England. We performed in eight different venues including The Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Nuffield Theatre in Lancaster and Norwich Puppet Theatre.

Reviews

“a lot of unexpected, but welcome humour”
“The final scene was both magical and sad, a fitting end to a unique experience”
Nerves (www.catalystmedia.org.uk) - Louise Costelloe-Ward and Hana Leaper – March 2011

"rouge28's true magic is in the simple moments"
"This sincere puppetry is the heart of the production as Aya is capable, much like in classic mask work, of dramatically changing the mood of the human-sized characters with very subtle changes of the head and posture. Her fluid manipulation and ever-changing role reminded me of the late Hoichi Okamoto of Dondoro Theatre."
Animations online (www.puppetcentre.org.uk) - Matt Jackson – Edition 32, winter 2011

“The actress gracefully swayed across the stage, bringing her puppet to life, like the mysterious lady had done with Urashima’s drowned body."
"Like Urashima, I was fascinated and captured!"
Council for the Advancement of Arts, Recreation and Education (caare.wordpress.com) - Liza Adebisi – 12/06/2008