Scene from Five Days in March
Photo by Michele Rossignol

Join us for an inside look at the works of writer/director Toshiki Okada, founder of chelfitsch theater company, one of the most visible companies in Japan right now. Moderated by Kate Loewald (Artistic Director, The Play Company) with translator Aya Ogawa. The Play Company will produce Okada’s Enjoyin 2009.

Toshiki Okada was born in Yokohama City in 1973 and graduated from the Business Department of Keio University. In 1997 he founded chelfitsch, named after a child’s mispronunciation of the English word “selfish.” Through a unique methodology of play-making, Okada created all the works by the company, incorporating “super real” Japanese language and exaggerated body movement.

Known for the juxtaposition of super-colloquial dialogue and movement- choreography derived from mundane activities,chelfitschtheatre company has become the very representative of youth culture in the Japanese contemporary theatre scene. Their work epitomizes the current infantilized culture and society of contemporary urban Japan. The seminal works of the company include On the Harmful Effects of Marijuana(2003), Post the End of Suffering (2005) and Cooler (Air Conditioner), which was a finalist in the 2005 Toyota Choreography Awards.

Five Days in March, which will be presented at Japan Society February 5-7 at the end of its Society-produced North American tour, is a prestigious Kishida Kunio Drama Award-winning play by Okada, telling the story of two urban hipsters who meet at a post-rock show and then get swept up into a one-night stand that turns into five days of continuous sex.

Japan Society: Since 1953, Japan Society’s Performing Arts Program has presented over 500 events of the finest Japanese theatre, dance and music both traditional and contemporary.

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009 Martin E. Segal Theatre. Free!