Black Stripe Theater - Latest Comments

Re: Some words on the 'understaff' by Walter Roberts

Rannetyll — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:07:57 -0000

It is not explicitly stated that it is the understaff that kill the members of the executive branch. What is stated is that the patients have done it, even though that is up for discussion. As opposed to one memeber of the understaff we do not see any of the patients. Who is it that rebell?

Re: “The Lesson” and “Out at Sea” Double-Bill!!

Hey! — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:13:27 -0000

Who are in the cast?

Re: “Fat Pig” Stills

Sayo — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:57:50 -0000

1 ticket for Sayo Morinobu for Sunday night, 3rd.

Re: “Fat Pig” Stills

Michaela Chatman — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:11:36 -0000

I will be there on Friday night! Yay! I enjoyed the last show! Can't wait for this one!

Re: “Fat Pig” Stills

Andrew — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:25:44 -0000

Andrew Martinez one tix for Friday the 2nd. amartinez@tokyoplayers.org

Re: DOUBT Dress Rehearsal Photos

Karen — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:59:49 -0000

I have been meaning to get involved with a group but not knowing how long I would be in Japan, I resisted...time to stop thinking about it. Nice clean website, succinct and inviting. Cheers. Karen

Re: Iwato Theatre Run Photos

Christopher Pellegrini — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:41:01 -0000

Sara mentioned that this most recent set was taken by Vladia. Not entirely sure about the previous sets.

Re: Iwato Theatre Run Photos

Mike Kanert — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:22:29 -0000

Nice! Are these from Vladia or Jazz?

Re: Kiss of the Spiderwoman

keikoamano — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:39:09 -0000

Dear Mr. Harris,

Thank you for your reply. I especially appreciated all the detail about avocado.
It was very satisfying to read.

Good luck to your future plays.

Re: Kiss of the Spiderwoman

Tim Harris — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:01:56 -0000

Dear Amano-san,
Thank you very much for your welcome comments. We are glad you liked the production. I think it was just accidental that when you came there were more Japanese than foreigners in the audience. At other performances it was different, so I don't think one can draw any large conclusions about different people's liking or lack of liking for the arts. So you noticed the avocado! Or, rather, the lack of the avocado! I had considered putting in the skin of a half-avocado in each man's bowl at the beginning of I, 3, but decided it would be too fussy and might lead to complications (things falling out of bowls etc) so I left it to the audience either not to notice or perhaps to assume that the avocado was the first course and that the skins had been thrown away before the men began their second course...
Thank you very much indeed for your comments.
All good wishes,
Tim Harris

Re: Kiss of the Spiderwoman

keikoamano — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:48:22 -0000

To the director, actors, and all the people of Black Stripe Theater

Relevance is the key word that lured me to see this play. This is my first time to see “Kiss of a Spiderwoman.” I saw it Sunday afternoon, and a few days before that, I watched the movie at a local library, also for the first time, and read the Japanese movie pamphlet. I’m interested in seeing how artists develop from a novel to a movie or a play. So, my hope was high.

The play was very engaging. Yes, the performance didn’t smack me over the head. It’s been making me think which is good.

In the director’s notes, the story is described as follows: “the love and respect that develops between two very dissimilar, and very brave, men who happen to share a prison cell.”
That simple description certainly expanded my thought and imagination. I appreciate the brave director who appreciates Puig’s brave play. And I want to thank two very dissimilar and very brave, wonderful actors. The contrast was enjoyable. I want to describe that the Valentin character was from a cave in North Pole, and Molina, from a tea hut in Kyoto. I envied the way Molina folded his legs underneath. I practice chanoyu a little, but I can’t sit like that anymore.

About audience, when I saw “Glengarry Glen Ross,” the audience seemed mostly non-Japanese. That was understandable. So, I was surprised to see mostly-Japanese audience this time for “Kiss of a Spiderwoman.” It probably means that Japanese are more open-minded to arts. What's your opinion about that? I'd like to hear your view.

One unimportant, but I-am-curious comment. There was Molina’s dialogue about Valentin’s refusal to eat avocado. It sounded as though it was mentioned in prior scene. Did I miss that prior scene? Maybe, I wasn’t paying attention.

Please keep up your brave and good works!

Keiko Amano
http://keiko-amano.blogspot.co...
http://www.redroom.com/member/...

Re: "The Hothouse" (Oct. 16-18, 2009)

Ei Yamashita — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:52:07 -0000

My wife, Sara, took me to your play for the first time today. I did not know that we have this kind of English play here in Japan, but it was really enjoyable so that I will inform my colleagues about your event next time, since my company is headquartered in Singapore and half of staff are non-Japanese. Thanks for a nice entertainment!

Re: Walter Roberts Director's Note (The Homecoming, July 4th-6th)

walter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:44:35 -0000

In response to "Tim says"
I use the word definitive describing Peter Halls production of the Homecoming in the sense that the film version seems to rightly capture the style of Pinter's writing.
It was instructive to me when I saw it and illuminated the possibilities not immediately brought out on the printed page. It defined for me the style and approach that I have come to associate with Pinter's writing.
I had the same illuminating, instructive experience when I first saw Olivier's film version of Richard III also while attending University.
Olivier's interpretation of Richard hit me like a bolt of lightning. I suddenly appreciated the way Shakespeare should be done. It made perfect sense, again the experience I had watching the film was defining for me.
You may argue Tim, that Olivier's performance may not be definitive or compare varied nuanced Richards you may have seen. You may even perhaps be put off by anyone using the term definitive to describe Olivier's performance. None the less, I live in hope that you were not discouraged in coming to see our rendition of The Homecoming and hope you will continue to be a supportive patron in the future.
Thank you.
Walter Roberts

Re: Walter Roberts Director's Note (The Homecoming, July 4th-6th)

Tim — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:55:58 -0000

If Peter Hall's filmed version (which I have) is definitive, what's the point of your directing it? That slightly puts me off coming to see it. But I live in hope. If you read Billington's latest version of his biography of Pinter, you'll see that perhaps it isn't definitive and one or two recent revivals have caught some nuances not in the filmed version. The only reason one might think it's definitive is because it's on film.

Re: Playing Max by Tim Harris

Dean — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:08:50 -0000

Playing Teddy.
Lots of thoughts come and go playing this weird character(like how to spell 'weird', for example!). Today's thought is that 'The Homecoming' could so easily be subtitled 'Meet the Vampires'. That led me on to the idea that if someone was pitching 'The Homecoming' to Hollywood they could describe it as a dystopian version of 'Meet the Fockers'. Here the nice guy takes his nice wife home to meet his family. 'They are very warm people.' he tells her and half-tells himself. Then it all goes very wrong.
I find it such a challenge, an exciting one, to work out why Teddy does what he does. In the normal course of events, using the word 'normal' in a very broad sense, he behaves in such apparently abnormal ways. He makes two bizarre choices. The first is to go home with his wife. The second, which is even more bizarre,...well you'll have to come and see the play!
Wrestling with the possible answers to these questions is a process that is intellectually demanding and spiritually draining. Before working on this play I would have just considered the previous sentence hyperbole. It is definitely not!
Teddy's life seems intimately linked to Ruth's and that of the group of vicious neanderthals he has the misfortune to call his family. It is a painful situation to explore but such a fascinating part to play.

Re: Playing Max by Tim Harris

walter — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:13:22 -0000

Lasciviousness in bloom. I am so glad that you heeded by blandishments Tim.Max is blossoming into a delightfuly evil dirty cruel self seeking bully. I am sure you will inspire more nightmares in the performance.

Re: "Glengarry Glen Ross" Cast and Crew Bios

Brent — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:54:07 -0000

I have dropped a loaf in my trousers

土も宜しくおねがいします

Re: Gallery

nothingofnote — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:04:47 -0000

One new photo in "Gallery", Garrett.

Re: Gallery

Garrett — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:09:57 -0000

When will we get to see some photos of the new production?

Re: Gallery

Ken — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:50:18 -0000

Great behind the scenes photos here. Can't wait for the next production. I hope something's coming over the summer!

Re: Mishal Samman's Thoughts on Playing the Role of "Baylen"

to Mishal Samman — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:38:00 -0000

The process of building the role of Baylen was very interesting and educational. I appreciate the article.

Re: Glengarry Glen Ross (Feb 22 - 24, 2008)

Keiko Amano — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:03:46 -0000

Congratulation on your successful show. I’m glad I was there.

A few months ago, I read Mamet’s book on directing and loved it, but because of profanity, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see Glengarry. Anyway, I was in the central library that had very few English books, but to my surprise, I found the book.
I read it and liked it, so I went to the last show.

The performance had so much energy. Richard Roma kept going and going, and the rest of the actors threw great bumps going in and out. And I think Andrew Woolner made a beautiful nerd out of James Lingk.

I truly enjoyed the goingness of the show. I felt great. Mamet and all of you definitely made a song out of those beats. I am inspired.

Keiko Amano
Communication Director
The Yokohama Theatre Group

Re: Glengarry Glen Ross (Feb 22 - 24, 2008)

Justin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:21:34 -0000

Whoever Nana is can she be our agent?!?!?! Thank you Nana for such a wonderful compliment to all of us!!!!

Ricky Roma

Re: Glengarry Glen Ross (Feb 22 - 24, 2008)

nana — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:43:38 -0000

thank you so much for the great show!!!i couldnt even blink whlile show carry..even i dont think i understand every single word in the show..it was great..i think it would be nice if all actor stick together to get someone eyes from another country or another place offer!cause all actor ae just great..i hope i can be able to see next show!

Re: Glengarry Glen Ross (Feb 22 - 24, 2008)

Garrett DeOrio — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:47:38 -0000

Congratulations all around, guys. Not only did you put on a great show, you sold out all five performances I hear. Well done. I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to the next production.