Le Rêve de Takase [ Takase’s Dream ]

Choreographed by Merlin Nyakam
Performed by SPAC-ENFANTS
Assistant of choreography by Saiko Kino
Sound design by Norihiko Yamanuki
Videography by Taro Nishimoto
5 June at 16:30 ・ 19 June at 17:00

Ellipse Theatre DAENDO, Shizuoka Performing Arts Park
Duration:75 minutes (expected time)

Children of Shizuoka challenge themselves at world level contemporary dance.

Takase’s Dream is the re-titled, renewed, stepped up version of the original, Yume miru chikara -REVE DE TAKASE- , first performed at The Shizuoka Performance Arts Center in September of 2010. After the performance at this years World Theatre Festival Shizuoka under Mt.Fuji it will be shown once in Tokyo in August, and will come back to Shizuoka for a triumphant return performance.

The original was created, based on the idea of children challenging themselves at world level contemporary dance. Under the guidance of the internationally renowned Cameroonian choreographer/dancer, Merlin Nyakam, we were successful at enhancing unity, while bringing out each member’s individuality. A young performer spoke of his dream at the audition for this piece. His name was Takase. Takase’s Dream, was built on this boy’s bright sketch for the future, one which painted “a Utopian like lifestyle along with nature.” This kind of positive image towards the future, hits the audience with persuasive power only children’s expressions can create. You can expect great things from the children’s performance of Takase’s Dream, a sanctuary brimming with hope.

Summary

Takase is popular among the classroom girls and is often chased in circles. However, that is merely a dream. For when he opens his eyes, reality reveals the true brutality of human relations, giving way for aggressive, video game like dance. Eventually Takase finds his way out and plays in the wild freely. Generations pass and we are in the time of elders. The old men and women, who were once so young, now play in a paradise like land and remember a game they used to know so well…

The “SPAC-ENFANTS PROJECT” is an international cooperative production project that chose, through auditions, 10 dancers from Middle Schools and High Schools all across Shizuoka prefecture to create a new stage with the concept of “dance that can give hope for the future back to the children of the world.” With the development of each child’s diverse originality, they have pursued a high quality dance piece whose artistic expression competes with the world.

Produced by:Shizuoka Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
In cooperation with:L’Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo
Endorsed by:Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon in Japan/Ambassade de France au Japon/Shizuoka prefectural board of education/Shizuoka Private School Network