From flowers to stars; everything is connected.
Maurice Maeterlinck, the writer well known as the author of The Blue Bird, was also a competent beekeeper. Based on his essay The Life of the Bee, Céline Schaeffer, a French Director, vividly depicts a year in the life of a honeybee wrapped in mystery. The work, skillfully incorporating projection and dance, was re-created by SPAC in Japanese in 2020. It received a favorable reception as a theatrical play that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Beautiful scenery that changes thorough the four seasons, and the life led by the honeybee—Look very carefully, and the voice of nature will invite you to join the adventure inside a beehive.
▼Stage photos（2020）／Performance in 2020
Based on The Life of the Bee Maurice Maeterlinck
Written and directed by Céline SCHAEFFER
Performed by SPAC / TAKII Miki, NAGAI Kenji, NAKAMURA Yuki, KIUCHI Kotoko
Japanese Script by NOUSO Masao
SPAC 2020–2021 programs
Promotional videos
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［ENGLISH］
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［FRENCH］
Cast
TAKII Miki
NAGAI Kenji
NAKAMURA Yuki
KIUCHI KotokoSchedule
＜Shizuoka＞
2021
2 October，Saturday at 2:00pm
*Post-performance talk
3 October，Sunday at 2:00pm
*Backstage lecture
9 October，Saturday at 2:00pm
*Backstage lecture
10 October，Sunday at 2:00pm
*Science talk
23 October，Saturday at 2:00pm
*Post-performance talk
24 October，Sunday at 2:00pm
*Backstage lecture *Nursery serviceVenue: Shizuoka Arts Theatre
＜Shimoda＞
[50th anniversary of Shimoda being inaugurated as a city]2021
27 November, Saturday at 2:00pm
*Backstage lecture
Venue: Shimoda Civic Culture Center
Common for both Shizuoka and Shimoda performances
In Japanese
Duration: 60 minutes
Recommended for ages 7 and up
*Please refrain from taking infants to the ordinary seats.
《COVID-19 Prevention Measures》
Requests to All VisitorsIn addition to the following, please be sure to read [Important] Measures for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 and Requests to All Visitors as well.
●Please check your physical condition before coming to the theater.
(If you have a fever or other symptoms, please refrain from visiting the theater.)
●Please be sure to wear a mask when you visit the theater.
●Your body temperature will be taken at the theater entrance using thermography or a non-contact thermometer. If your temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, you will be asked to refrain from entering the theater.
●Please fill out and submit the visitor card.
(In the event of an outbreak of infection, we may provide the submitted information to public institutions such as health centers.)
※For this fiscal year, the balcony seats on the 1st floor of Shizuoka Arts Theatre are available if you maintain distance from the members of the audience around you.
In Shimoda City Cultural Hall (Shimoda performance), sufficient distance between adjacent seats will be ensured.
Please contact the SPAC Ticket Center for further information.
Related events
Pre-Performance Talk
Starting 25 minutes before each performance.Post-performance talk by the artists: after the performance.
2 October，Saturday
23 October，Saturday
Special Science Talk
“The world of bees and social insects”
Teacher: Toshio Kishimoto（Professor of “Museum of Natural and Environmental History”）
10 October，Sunday
Time: About 30 minutes, after the performance
*Free of charge
*No reservation required
＊”Museum of Natural and Environmental History”：https://www.fujimu100.jp/en/Backstage lecture
The technical staff will explain behind the scenes.
3 October，Sunday
9 October，Saturday
24 October，Sunday
27 November, Saturday
Every day, after the performance
Time: About 30 minutes
Free of charge. No reservation required.
Special
“Museum of Natural and Environmental History” Presents
Specimen exhibition “The World of Bees”A nature museum shows up in the theater lobby!
Specimens of bees selected by the museum researchers will be exhibited during the performance period.
From12 October to 27 October
Every day, from 10:00-18:00
Except 16 October
Venue: 1st floor lobby of Shizuoka Arts Theatre
Free of charge.Performances for junior and high-school students
SPAC believes that theaters are a window to the world, and that is why it invites junior high school and high school students in Shizuoka Prefecture to its free-of-charge programs.
It is scheduled that about 3,000 students from 29 junior high and high schools in the prefecture will view the work at Shizuoka Arts Theatre, Hamamatsu City Tenryu Mibu Hall, and Shimoda City Cultural Hall.Access
＜Shizuoka＞
Shizuoka Arts Theatre
2-3-1 Higashishizuoka, Suruga-ku Shizuoka City, Shizuoka, Japan
● Approx. 5 minutes walk from South exit of JR Higashi-Shizuoka Station.
The entrance is on the east side (towards Shimizu) of the Granship building.
For more information, please click here: https://spac.or.jp/en/access
＜Shimoda＞
Shimoda Citizens’ Cultural Center Large Hall
4-1-2 Shimoda City, Shizuoka ,Japan
● Approx. 7minutes walk from Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
Ticket Price
4,200 yen (One viewing for regular adult)
SPAC Membership Discount
3,500 yen (One viewing for regular adult)Pair Discount
3,700 yen per personGroup Discount
3,300 yen per person for group of 3 or moreSenior Discount
3,500 yen for seniors over 60
*Please present ID at doorStudent Discount
2,000 yen (University)
1,000 yen (High School and under)
*Please present school ID at doorHandicap Discount
2,900 yen (for those who possess handicap passbook)
Family Discount
3,300 yen per person with one child under high school
*Cannot use more than one discount per purchase.
*Please inform use of discount when making reservation.How to Purchase
Prior Reservation for Membership begins: 28 August at 10:00
Advance Tickets Sale begins: 4 September at 10:00
●Online reservations
– Please enter from the language button “English”.
– Payment is possible with the following credit cards: DC, UFJ, NICOS, VISA, and Master. Tickets purchased through this website can be received at the venue from one hour prior to each performance.
●Phone reservations
from 10:00-18:00 at SPAC ticket center
TEL. +81-(0)54-202-3399●Purchase at BOX Office
SPAC ticket center (10:00-18:00)
Day Ticket
Available at the entrance counter for leftover seats, from one hour prior to each performance.
*Please confirm ticket availability on the day by phone or by visiting Twitter (@_SPAC_)*Ticket reservations will finish at 18:00 on the day before the performance.
Please refrain from taking infants to the ordinary seats.
［Nursery room］ (One family only per performance)
For both the Shimoda and Shizuoka performances, there is a nursery room where parents can watch the program with their infant children.
*This service can only be reserved by phone or at the box office.
Staff
Japanese Script translation: INOUE Yuriko
Interpreter: HIRANO Akihito, YAMADA Hiromi
Stage manager: YAMAZAKI Kaoru
Stage: MORIBE Rio, YEH Chiahsing
Video: TAKEZAWA Akira
Lighting arrangement: HIGUCHI Masayuki
Lighting operation: MIZUNO Hikaru
Lighting: KAMIYA Reina
Sound: SAWADA Yukino, OTSUKI Minori
Art work: FUKASAWA Eri, SATO Yosuke, WATANABE Hiroki, YOSHIDA Yuna
Costume: KOMAI Yumiko, SATO Rise, MAKINO Saho
Wardrobe: MAKINO Saho
Assistant director: NAKANO Masaki
Technical director: MURAMATSU Atsushi
Production: MIYAKAWA Eri, YUKIOKA Jun, KITAHORI Ruka, TOTSUKA MinaFlyer design: ABE Taichi (TAICHI ABE DESIGN INC.)
Flyer illustration: OCHIAI Megumi
Original Staff
Scenography Élie BARTHÈS, Céline SCHAEFFER, Lola SERGENT
Video Élie BARTHÈS
Dramaturgy and artistic collaboration Julien AVRIL
Music Peter CHASE
Costumes, accessories Lola SERGENT
Lights Jean-Pascal PRACHT
Stage set construction Jérôme JUHEL
Paintings Jean-Paul DEWYNTER
Filmed images of the bee Jean-Michel POULICHOT
Organized by SPAC-Shizuoka Performing Arts Center
Produced by SPAC-Shizuoka Performing Arts Center
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council［Shimoda］
Organized by The Association of Public Theaters and Halls in Japan
Cosponsored by Shimoda City Promotion Public Corporation
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
【Profile】
Céline Schaeffer
Céline Schaeffer is a director and visual artist born in France. After studying formative arts, she started activities as an assistant director in 1995, and work as a collaborator for Valère Novarina, a representative playwriter in modern France, in 1999. In 2019, she founded her company “Le mélodrOme,” and created the “Republic of the Bees,” first performed in Festival d’Avignon, which became a sensation. With her creative style of crossing the boundaries between theatrical plays, languages, and the arts, she is emerging under the spotlight.
