We know that the Adelaide Fringe Festival is renowned for its diverse and captivating performances, and in 2024, it’s set to welcome a transcendent and thought-provoking show, ‘Sun and Crystal’, by the visionary Kazuko Shimazu, for the first time in Adelaide and for two spectacular shows only.
Taking inspiration from Japanese folktales Noh and Butoh, this avant-garde production promises to be a poetic and dramatic exploration that delves deep into the human psyche while narrating a universal contemporary myth that defies conventional storytelling.
Breaking away from the constraints of chronological narratives and traditional character arcs, ‘Sun and Crystal’ immerses its audience in a world beyond time and borders and is a story about the memories of human extinction engraved in DNA.
The tale unfolds in a realm of unknown dimensions, where two enigmatic shadows dance amidst fragmented memories. A woman, amid fields of flowers adjacent to a battlefield, succumbs to a tragic fate while every fragment of her existence is meticulously captured within a crystal.
Within this enigmatic narrative, a woman, led by shadows, encounters an old man amidst a timeless plane. His tales speak of a world housing a crystal cave, sparking the woman’s quest through time and space in pursuit of this enigmatic crystal.
‘Sun and Crystal’ is the brainchild of Kazuko Shimazu, collaborating alongside Hirono Yoshimura. Together, they founded the performing art group SEIGAI in 2019, blending minimalist masked theatre techniques with elements from Noh and Butoh, culminating in a contemporary theatrical opus interwoven with poetry.
The genesis of this remarkable show stemmed from the creative ingenuity fostered during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo.
Hirono Yoshimura came up with the intimate 2×2 theatre format—restricted to two performers and two audience members—within the confines of her rehearsal space. The incorporation of full-face masks, a characteristic of Noh, proved convenient during these times, enabling a three-month run of the show.
‘Sun and Crystal’ premiered in a ruined studio in November 2022, with the same style created within the 2×2 theatre format, featuring only two performers but resonating with a boundless depth.
Produced by Hirono Otake, with costume design by Kijun Saqurai and sound by KO.DO.NA, the show, characterised by its ethereal and life-infused silence, has garnered acclaim for crafting a dramatic universe from subtle movements and quiet footfalls, enthralling audiences everywhere.
Audience Review shares, ‘Silent, but with a strong life energy—a dramatic world created from their faint movements and quiet steps.’
‘Sun and Crystal’ is set to grace the 2024 Adelaide Fringe for two shows only, on the 18th and the 24th of February.
For those seeking a captivating journey into the recesses of the human subconscious and a narrative that defies conventions, ‘Sun and Crystal’ by Kazuko Shimazu is a show you shouldn’t miss this year!
What: Sun and Crystal.
Where: Garage International at Adelaide Town Hall, 128 King William Street, Adelaide, 5000—enter via Pirie Street or Paul Kelly Lane.
When: 18th and 24th of February, 4:40 pm.
For tickets and more info, click here or follow @kaz_lazarus.
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