Eels travel thousands of kilometers across the ocean to spawn—SPAC (Shizuoka Performing Arts Center)’s new production draws a parallel between the life cycle of eels and the journeys of people who, for various reasons, repeatedly cross the sea. Playwright Natsuki Ishigami and SPAC present a new performance in close collaboration with a cast of residents with Brazilian roots in Shizuoka prefecture, with whom she conducted research and shared opinions for more than a year. Following more than a year of research and dialogue, they join SPAC performers as part of the main cast.
In preparation for its premiere in Shizuoka in April 2026, a Work-in-Progress performance will be held in Hamamatsu on February 28 and March 1.
A página em português está aqui!
https://spac.or.jp/2025/eel-migration-portugues
Text and direction: ISHIGAMI Natsuki
Music: TANAKAWA Hiroko
Set design: SASAKI Ayami
Sound design: WADA Masashi
Cast:
AKAMATSU Naomi
KIJIMA Tsuyoshi
MORIYAMA Fuyuko
YOSHIMI Ryo
（SPAC）
AIKAWA Angela
Ayla Wendy
Pereira Haseyama
Cleide
YANO Haruki
(Residents of the prefecture)
Profile
ISHIGAMI Natsuki
Playwright, working mainly in the company “Pepin” from 1999. She works on plays and art-projects expressing peopleʼs alternative behaviors in cities and communities in Japan and abroad. Her recent activities include: directing Stage Art Sector in “Culture City of East Asia 2019 Toshima,” writing and staging “Oesiki Project Tour Performance ʻBEAT,ʼ” being Guest Curator for ADAM Artist Lab in Taipei Arts Festival 2019, directing “Theatre Today” in On Stage Shizuoka (FY2021) and directing “Yoroboshi”(2022), “Otsuya’s Love”(2023) and “The Kitchen of Click-Clack Mountain”(2024) at SPAC.
Information
〈Work-in-Progress〉
2026
Saturday, 28 February at 1:30 pm
Sunday, 1 March at 1:30 pm
At Hamamatsu Science Museum
*A talk session will be held after the performance by the artists in Japanese.
Duration: Within 60minutes
In Japanese (partially in Brazilian Portuguese)
【Open Seating】
*Please tell us beforehand if you want to see the show with preschool children.
Ticket
◎Ticket Price
2,000 yen (One viewing for regular adult)
600 yen (U25 and University students)
SPAC Membership Discount
1,800 yen (One viewing for regular adult)
◎How to Purchase
◆Prior Reservation for Membership begins:
17 January at 10:00
◆Advance Tickets Sale begins:
18 January 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 the Box Office
SPAC ticket center (10:00-18:00)
Work-in-Progress Special Discount
Brazil Friend Ticket ¥1,800
Special discounted ticket is available not only to people with Brazilian roots, but also to anyone who feels a connection to Brazil in any way.
Have you ever attended a Brazilian festival?
Do you have Brazilian friends?
Have you practiced capoeira?
Do you enjoy samba?
Any kind of connection is welcome!
On the day of the performance, you are invited to write your connection to Brazil on a panel and share it with us ♬
When purchasing your ticket, please select the “Brazil Friend”(ブラジル友だちチケット) Ticket option.
Schedule
June 2024
– Research begins
February 2025
– Creation process begins
April–May 2025
– Open Studio
Venue: Shizuoka Performing Arts Park
February 2026
– Work-in-Progress Presentation in Hamamatsu
Venue: Hamamatsu Science Museum
April 2026
– Premiere in Shizuoka
Venue: Shizuoka Performing Arts Park
▼Production Blog
▼Open Studio 2025
▼Research and creation
Staff
Stage manager: SHIMODA Tomonori
Stage: FURUYA Kazumi
Lighting: HIGUCHI Masayuki
Technical director: MURAMATSU Atsushi
Photography: SUZUKI Ryuichiro
Production: SAKANAKA Toshiki, SATO Hiko
Research Collaboration: KAIFU Kenzo
Flyer design (Work in Progress): MIURA Yusuke
Produced and organized by SPAC-Shizuoka Performing Arts Center
Approved by Fujinokuni Arts Festival
Commission: Japan Cultural Expo 2.0
Co-host: Hamamatsu Science Museum(Work in Progress)
Cooperation: Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communications and Exchanges
Sponsor: Consulate-General of Brazil in Hamamatsu, Iwata Association for International Communications and Exchanges, Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo/Guimarães Rosa Institute
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council
Co-produced by: T2G-Théâtre de Gennevilliers Centre Dramatique National
