Adelaide Fringe

Fringe Review: A Thousand Cranes

A devised piece by local theatre company The Gemini Collective, based on a true story A Thousand Cranes follows the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who died from leukaemia as a results of nuclear weapons being used in World War Two.

Famous true story comes to life on stage
3.5

Reviewed at The Parks on 5 March 2019

Presented by The Gemini Collective

A devised piece by local theatre company The Gemini Collective, based on a true story A Thousand Cranes follows the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who died from leukaemia as a results of nuclear weapons being used in World War Two.

A cross art form piece, the story follows Sadako and her friend Kenji training for an upcoming racing carnival, both are confident of Sadako’s chances but her sudden illness stops their training immediately. She and her parents become quite concerned about how fast her health is deteriorating but it is Kenji who gives young Sadako hope when he tells her of an old story where if she were to fold one thousand cranes she would be granted a wish and once more become well. Sadako’s story is well known in Japan and she is widely seen as an anti-nuclear, peace figure.

A moving performance, the cast makes up a diverse range of skills including dance and ballet, circus and acrobatics and live music. The cast, predominantly young are skilled and able to hold themselves against other much older people in their crafts. The show is respectful of Sadako’s story and it is pleasant to see much of the show include Japanese traditions and culture.

In its second season, the show is a timely reminder of how fickle and devastating war can be to generations of people. It does encourage hope that companies like The Gemini Collective are willing to put together shows such as this to remind us of how vigilant we need to be to prevent something so devastating happening again.

Reviewed by Simon Lancione

Venue:  Theatre One at The Parks Theatres
Season:  9-11th March 2019
Duration:  60 mins
Tickets:  FP $24, C $17, Family $75, Bank SA $18.75

 

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