Performing Arts Showcase

2023 David Williamson’s play "A Conversation" presented by Haiyuza Theatre Company

Australian playwright David Williamson’s “A Conversation” centres around family values and how they can be utilised as a theme to reflect and challenge the myriad of social and political views held by Japanese society. The play was presented in Tokyo by the Haiyuza Studio between 10 - 24 February.
More information (in Japanese)

2023 Paper Planet by Polyglot Theatre

Paper Planet is a pioneer in interactive theatre and play for children and their parent/s or guardian. It is an immersive experience where families are invited to contribute to a ‘cardboard forest’ using paper, tape and their imagination. Polyglot Theatre prides itself in the child-led approach which was open to the Japanese public from 6-16 June in Yokohama city.

More information (in Japanese)

2023 "New Owner" in Aichi and Kyoto

A show led by Australian theatre company The Last Great Hunt, ‘New Owner’ is a show about loss, friendship and new beginnings. The production combines puppetry, live action and animation to bring this story to life, through a dog’s eyes. A series of shows took place between July and August.

More information (in Japanese)

2023 "The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes" by Back to Back Theatre

Back to Back Theatre brings about a play surrounding the story of a public meeting, the sort you would hope to observe in a democracy. It explores a narrative of human rights, sexual politics and artificial intelligence in hopes of providing insight into individual and collective responsibility. A series of performances took place from 7-15 October in Kyoto and Yamaguchi.

Kyoto Experiment
More information

Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media
More information (in Japanese)

Jeff Busby

2022 "International Theatre Exchange Seminar 2022 - Australia focus" presented by the Japan Directors Association

This online seminar across 16 - 18 September focused on the themes of ‘immigrants and refugees’ as well as ‘Indigenous peoples’. Various lectures, such as one by playwright Shakthidharan, and play readings were explored to discuss and exchange views on Australian theatre and what it looks like today.

More information (in Japanese)

Production Images by Brett Boardman, courtesy of Belvoir Theatre

Translation of Australian plays

Australia has a great number of famous and well-loved plays. A recent project has involved the translation of these texts into Japanese to allow Japanese audiences to appreciate these texts. Please see the following PDF for a list of Australian plays that have been translated into Japanese.