Tag Archives: Empire of the Sun

Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews Kuroko On Now At The Cultch Until November 17

12 Nov

kurukoVancouver Asian Canadian Theatre presented the world premiere of Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Kuroko on November 7th at The Cultch. The acclaimed creator of behind Empire of the Son and 1 Hour Photo, Shigematsu says this was his biggest challenge to date. Kuroko is not a solo show and Shigematsu is not personally taking the stage, as he usually does. This time he’s only the playwright and he’s telling one of his most personal stories yet – a dark comedy that earned a standing ovation from a captivated audience on opening night.

The story is of a man, Hiroshi, who has lost his job and worries about how he’s going to provide for his family. In particular, Hiroshi struggles to find a way to help his daughter Maya, who is an extreme recluse and has spent the last six years in her bedroom exploring virtual reality. The play explores human relationships and how they’re affected by our increasingly digital world. It also delves into the idea of sacrifice, bringing to light the different cultural and moral attitudes towards the topic in Japan and Canada. Shigematsu provides an interesting commentary on the intersection of these cultures as well as making a loud statement about family and how to truly take care of one another.

Kuroko is so popular that the first week is already sold out. An extra performance has been added on November 16th – get your tickets before they’re gone. Visit The Cultch for online purchase.

By Contributing Writer Nicole Alivojvodic

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Empire Of The Son Returns To The Cultch November 1-13, 2016

3 Oct

EmpireOfTheSun2016.jpgIf you missed the sold out premiere of Empire Of The Son last fall, you are in luck. This wildly successful performance, which included an extended run, is returning to The Cultch in the VanCity Culture Lab from Tuesday, November 1st to Sunday, November 13th. Empire Of The Son is written and performed by Tetsuro Shigematsu who is the former host of CBC’s The Round. Tetsuro brings us the story of his personal relationship with his father who is dying. They are separated by a generation but connected by blood. Tetsuro’s father speaks several different languages and possesses different values but what has kept them apart for so many years is their similarities. This is a story of two generations of broadcasters who have a lifetime of radio silence between them. With time running out, Tetsuro attempts to reach out to his dying father but is constrained by outmoded yet persistent cultural traditions about it means to “be a man”.

Empire of the Son uses a series of audio interviews, a camera, miniatures and projector to conjure up worlds from the ashes of Hiroshima to the glass towers of Vancouver and beyond. This is a unique theatrical experience that is intimately connected to real life in real time. It is a funny and poignant story of one immigrant family, their intergenerational conflicts in this one man show that blurs the lines between artistic disciplines and continents. There are a number of matinees for this run including November 5, 6, 9, 12 and 13 at 2:00 pm and you can enjoy a post-show Q&A on November 3, 8 and 10.  Tickets are $55 each and available online at The Cultch. If you wish to catch this performance this time around, we encourage you to grab your tickets.

Here’s what people are saying about Empire Of The Son:

“Exquisite. I’m telling all of the people I love most to see this show…I can’t say enough good things about Empire of the Son” – Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

 “Filled with hilarity and heartbreak” – The Ubyssey

 “Grief stripped raw in all its beauty” – Vancouver Sun

 “Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Empire of the Son is a stunner” – Westender

 “Empire of the Son is jewel-like in its sparkle and perfection” – JoLedingham.ca

 “Empire of the Son is gorgeous” – Vancouver Presents!

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