Presented By: Sid Williams Theatre Society
VACANT LOT from Ichigo Ichieh New Theatre is a contemporary dance and theatre piece directed and choreographed by Hiromoto Ida.
A long-married couple visit the vacant lot where their house once stood. They innocently share memories of their life together, of the house, and of their kids. Soon after, they realize how short this life is, and that our existence in the universe is so fragile.
Lindsay Clague and Hiromoto Ida embody the married couple, storytelling through movement, dialogue, and at times, stillness. This work is a balance between spoken theatre and dance theatre, revealing the loneliness of human existence and our longing to connect to each other and to the universe. While the overarching themes are existential, the play is also filled with delightful comedic moments that tickle the soul.
VACANT LOT is based on the play “SARACHI” by contemporary Japanese theatre artist, Shogo Ota.
Hiromoto Ida, who is based in Nelson, won a Screen Actors Guild Award this year in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a TV Drama Series for his portrayal of Japanese warlord Lord Kiyama in Shōgun.
The production team for VACANT LOT includes John Tucker (sound designer), Sharon Huizinga (lighting designer), Ian Johnston (stage designer), Lindsay Clague (assistant director), and Hannah Stevens (stage manager).
About the company
Ichigo Ichieh New Theatre was established in 2006 by Hiromoto Ida. Previous works include “SENTAKU”, “KESSA”, “The Gift”, “DETOUR”, “BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO MYSELF” and “HOMECOMING”.
The company is named after the Japanese notion of a unique occasion. If you meet someone, it is considered a unique occasion that happens only once, in that moment, in an entire lifetime. Even if you meet the same person the next day under the same circumstances, this exact same moment can never reoccur. This idea is built into the philosophy of the Japanese tea ceremony, not unlike a theatre performance, which has a host preparing a ceremony for a guest. Each ceremony is represented by a theme, with subtle intention provided by the host.
Every small thing has a purpose and a position - even imperfections, are carefully attended while the host is kept away from the centre of the ceremony. A tea ceremony’s main focus is always given to perfecting a cup of tea to present to the guest with ichigo-ichieh in their mind.
