Theatre
Japanese Theatre of the Deaf &
Deaf Puppet Theatre Hitomi &
Company DERASHINERA Joint Production
Directed by: Shuji Onodera(Company DERASHINERA)
Cast: Akiko Kazumi (Japanese Theatre of the Deaf) /
Nakaba Nakae (Japanese Theatre of the Deaf)/
Toru Enomoto (Deaf Puppet Theatre Hitomi)/
Rina Sakiyama (Company DERASHINERA) / DAKEI / Eri Nasu / Miyu Moriya
Lighting Design: Yasuko Abe
Costume: Azusa Imamura
Scenic Designer: Izumi Matsuoka
Stage Manager: Kotaro Yokozawa
Assistant Director: Momoko Fujita(Company DERASHINERA)
Production: Asako Hirokawa
Photo: Jouji Suzuki
Collaboration with: The Saison Foundation
60 min | World Premiere
Country of Production: Japan
Language of Performance: Nonverbal
As one travels between the boundaries of dreams and reality, a world emerges. Without relying on spoken language and connecting a series of points, memories are evoked.
We, who try to understand everything through words, are invited to imagine the world that extends beyond.
"A Hundred Years of Sleep" originated from a long-term project that has continued for six years since 2018, primarily involving actors from the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf and Deaf Puppet Theatre Hitomi, who have led Japanese Deaf theatre.
Shuji Onodera of Company DERASHINERA directs and has garnered attention for his unique staging based on mime movement. The piece explores the body, transcending the boundaries of dance, mime, sign language, and spoken words. Notably, the participation of Deaf elementary school students also focuses on children's potentials.
Performance Notes
No voice, sign language, or sound is used.
Japanese Theatre of the Deaf & Deaf Puppet Theatre Hitomi & Company DERASHINERA Joint Production
- Japanese Theatre of the Deaf (Founded in 1980, affiliated with Totto Foundation)
- Deaf Puppet Theatre Hitomi (Founded in 1980, professional puppet theatre group of Deaf and hearing individuals)
- Company DERASHINERA (Founded in 2008, creative group based on mime)
These three groups have been collaborating since 2018 as part of the "Training × Sign Language × Arts Project" with the aim of exploring new horizons in physical expression. In July 2020, they presented a work-in-progress performance of "The Wild Duck " (Theatre X, Kawasaki Art Center). While members have changed over time, workshops have been held annually, further developing expressions and discoveries.