RITA&RICO
A Reimagining of The Good Person of Szechwan

WATANABE Takahiko gives his own take of Bertolt Brecht’s play

The gods descend to Human world search of good people. The play follows Rita, a woman from a ghetto, who arranges accommodations for the gods. Having received money in return, she starts her own business. In the fable The Good Person of Szechwan, Brecht portrayed the modern world where every person wears a mask of cruelty and greed to survive. WATANABE Takahiko, a renowned SPAC actor who has also recently started a career as a stage producer, boldly rewrites the play with a new narrative, depicting the main character Shen Teh and her alter ego Shui Ta as symbols of altruism and egoism.

For others? For yourself?
For today? For tomorrow?
Which you choose?
 
Original text: Bertold BRECHT
Conception, direction and script: WATANABE Takahiko
Script assistant: MORIYAMA Marie

 

▼ Rehearsal

 

Cast


  YAMAMOTO Miyuki

  IZUMI Yoji

  OUCHI Tomomi

  KIUCHI Kotoko

  KIJIMA Tsuyoshi

  KONAGAYA Katsuhiko

  MISHIMA Keita

  YOSHIUE Soichiro
 

Information

■Schedule
2019

14 December, Saturday 14:00  *Guidance for theatre beginners
     *Post-performance talk
     *Nursery service
 
15 December, Sunday 14:00  *Backstage tour
     *Shuttle bus from Eastern Shizuoka
     *Nursery service
 
21 December, Saturday 14:00  *Post-performance talk
     
22 December, Sunday 14:00  *Post-performance talk
     

Duration: 100 minutes
Venue: Shizuoka Arts Theatre access

Performances for junior and high-school students

The mark “*” means the performances that have available seats for general audience. (The tickets are limited.)
  


13 December, Friday at 10:30* / 14:30*
16 December, Monday at 13:30*
20 December, Friday at 10:30*

Related events

Post-performance talk by the artists and guests: after the performance.
14 December, Saturday
15 December, Sunday
22 December, Sunday

Pre-Performance Talk: Starting 25 minutes before each performance.

Meet us at Cafe Cinderella!
After the performance, the actors will come to see you off in their stage costumes. We hope you will take this opportunity to interact with the actors!

バックステージツアーBackstage tour
The technical staff will take you on a special backstage tour. You can also ask us your questions about the stage.
21 December, Saturday
Every day, after the show
Time: About 30 minutes
Free of charge. Reservation required. Up to 40 people.

Guidance for theatre beginners
SPAC actors will give beginner audiences a lecture on what to look for and pay attention to before the performance. This event can be participated in by both those seeing the performance for the first time and repeaters.
14 December, Saturday at 12:30
Time: About 60 minutes
In Japanese
Free of charge. Reservation required. Up to 20 people.

Marriage hunting at Theatre
21 December, Saturday at 11:15
Entry fee: 4,700 yen
Cosponsored by Shizuoka City
TEL: 054-200-4894

Shuttle bus to Shizuoka Arts Theatre

<From Eastern Shizuoka>
15 December, Sunday
Departure from Shuzenji-station to Shizuoka Arts Theatre
10:10 Shuzenji-station(South exit) → 11:05 Mishima-station(North exit) → 11:40 Numazu-station(North exit) → 13:00 Shizuoka Arts Theatre

*Returning bus will run after Post-performance talk / Backstage tour.
**Reservation is required.

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 person

Group Discount
3,300 yen per person for group of 3 or more

Senior Discount
3,500 yen for seniors over 60
*Please present ID at door

Student Discount
2,000 yen (University)
1,000 yen (High School and under)
*Please present school ID at door

Handicap Discount
2,900 yen (for those who possess handicap passbook)

*Cannot use more than one discount per purchase.
*Please inform use of discount when making reservation.

How to Purchase

Prior Reservation for Membership begins: 21 September at 10:00
Advance Tickets Sale begins: 28 September at 10:00
 
●Online reservations
bnr_getti_e
– 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)
 
●Purchase at Seven Eleven
Please use Multi Copy Machine inside stores
 
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] (up to three children, based on a first come first served basis; reservation required)
SPAC provides a nursery room where you can watch the performance with your infant children.

[Nursery service] 
Please contact us at least one week in advance if you would like to use the free nursery service run by volunteers.
14 December, Saturday
15 December, Sunday
Coverage: Infants aged two and under

Staff

Stage manager: MORIYAMA Marie
Art work: WATANABE Hiroki
Lightiong: KOBAYAKAWA Hiroya
Sound: SAWADA Yukino, HAYASHI Tetsuya
Costume: SEI Chigusa
Stage: SUGIYAMA Yuri
Production: NAKAO Eiji, KAJITANI Satoshi, KITAHORI Ruka

Technical director: MURAMATSU Atsushi

Illustration: SHIBATA Asami

Flyer design: ABE Taichi (TAICHI ABE DESIGN INC.)

Produced by SPAC-Shizuoka Performing Arts Center
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council, Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities

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WATANABE Takahiko
“I want to create a stage that is cruel, beautiful, tragic, and comedic all at the same time.”
An acting wizard with experience playing a vast range of characters on different platforms, ranging from theatre stages and contemporary dance and Butoh to films and TV series. He joined SPAC in 2010 and has appeared in Mahabharata, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Antigone, and many other programs. In 2016, he staged The Hunchback of Aomori. He was awarded the Best Theatre Artists’ Prize in the 2009 TOGA Theatre Artists’ Competition.