Riseiteki-na-Henzintachi planned to stage its new work “Oroika Song” as its second production. The play’s director and performers alike were closely involved from the creative process onwards, seeking to leverage their own experience and words in the making of the work. Related special events included a reading of stories generated in the process of creating the work, and an interactive pre-event on Zoom where company members read excerpts from the script. However, the spread of coronavirus meant that the production was postponed. The company is makings preparations to reschedule performances for after 2022.

Story
This is the story of three generations of Saiki family women: Oto, who got a job in the city with under the old Japanese ‘group employment’ system; Yayoi, who was raised by an adoptive mother; and twins Rinko and Yuko, who take different paths as the result of sexual violence. Through their stories, the play unflinchingly addresses the problems inherited by Japanese women, and the problems they face today.

Written by: Erika Kamata
Directed by: Miyuki Ikuta (Bungakuza)
Performed by: Hanano Takizawa, Ayako Umemura (Bungakuza), Zhang Ping (Bungakuza), Mio Nishioka, Yui Yamawaki
Event appearances: Marino Aramaki, Erika Kamata
Stage direction/lighting: Takaaki Kurota (Kurozaru)
Sound: Koji Ozono
Publicity art/visual design: Marino Aramaki
Production: Aya Hayasaka, Saika Kimura