We had a small party for you.
I hope you like this one :-)
May your days be glorious and delightful.
Cheers!
(2005/07/22)
Dear Adam,
on your special day I wish you
Happy, happy Birthday!
I'll support you no matter what happens.
Good luck!
(2005/07/22)
Adam Cooper's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
has opened
at Sadler's Wells as scheduled
in spite of the incidents on London’s transport system.
(2005/07/21)
Adam Cooper's "Les
Liaisons Dangereuses" will open tonight
at Sadler's Wells, London.
I believe it will win a huge success.
Keep checking review
list.
(2005/07/21)
Before I go ahead to Liaisons, let me report this.
Mr. William Tuckett, the choreographer of "The Soldier's Tale" and
one of Principals Character Artists
of Royal Ballet visited Japan last week in RB Japanese tour, long awaited
by Japanese ballet fans.
He performed three roles, as Cinderella's father, Manon's Monsieur
G.M. and Goaler,
completely different and all brilliant. I enjoyed very much.
Also I hear Zenaida Yanowsky performed Swan Lake with Roberto Bolle
in Nagoya in a special gala for Italian Day of EXPO
2005 Aichi.
I thought she would perform in Tokyo! I miss her so much.
I wish I could see "The Soldier's Tale" which fascinated me again in
Japan.
Sounds impossible? But who knows?
On Jul. 17, at the closing night after the last Manon with Sylvie Guillem,
curtain calls were repeated again and again and audience gave big applause
and standing obation
until all staffs appeared on the stage(I haven't seen anything like
that!),
and finally Ms. Monica Mason walked in led by Thiago Soares, who performd
Lescaut.
Confetti twinkled down and colorful tapes streamed down on stage.
I've been so happy for a month to see and enjoy two companies' performance
from London.
Thank you, all!
(2005/07/20)
Now Adam Cooper's "Les
Liaisons Dangereuses" UK premiere is coming soon.
See my information and find some news
including preview articles and events.
I hope you are in time to listen to audio archive
in BBC radio3 Night
Waves. Click Thursday.
(2005/07/16)
Additional notes about Highland Fling.
Take a glimpse of Yukata(Kimono for summer) Party on July 8.
Guess who!
You can see more photos of this event in matthewbourne.org
and willkemp.org.
(Thanks, Dani!)
I feel so sorry and also appreciate so much for the cast who gave us
such a happy time
although they must have been anxious about home.
(2005/07/15)
Matthew Bourne's "Highland
Fling" ended up in a great success in Japan
with the most wonderful performance on the closing day yesterday.
Thank you for such enjoyable performance all through the run.
I hope all dancers and staff will have a safe journey home and take
a good rest.
We are looking forward to your next visit to Japan soon!
(2005/07/11)
I know I'm not in the position to say this publicly,
but I'm glad to inform you that all the families and friends in London
of NA company in Japan
are all safe and all right and no one were involved in London
bombing.
I heard that from one of the cast during the intermission of tonight
show.
This is not official information, though.
I thought many over there reading my website are worried about it.
According to Adam's official website, Adam and Sarah are both all
right.
(Thank you for a quick update, Karen and Jane)
I'm really relieved to know that.
I'm very sorry I didn't know such a serious event broke out
during I was just enjoying "Highland Fling" last night.
And what a shame that it happend just after the great news for London,
during NA people are far away from home
and just before the UK premiere of Adam's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"!
I hope nothing bad will happen anymore,
and would like to show my sencere sympathy to everybody in London.
(2005/07/08)
Congratulations
to London!
For hosting 2012 Olympic Games.
(2005/07/06)
Tonight we had Will Kemp, Philip Wilingham, Rachel
Lancaster and Hannah Vassallo on the stage
of "Highland Fling"
in the post performance talk event with Etta Murphitt again!
Almost full house auditorium welcomed them.
Very interesting Qs and As including great news for Japanese fans,
Etta leaked they will bring "Scissorhands" to Japan next year very
hopefully in the answer
for a qustion if we can see it in Japan.
It could be June or July, maybe the same season as now.
Japanese fans are really lucky.
I'm sure Tokyo is the second best place to see Matthew Bourne's productions,
after London.
(2005/07/05)
Too small for a Hollywood star?
This is birthday cake for Will Kemp at the cafe space in the theatre
last night.
They should have brought the wedding cake of Nutcracker!
It was a very small party beyond my expectation.
There were only 30 people at maximum including lucky fans and theatre
staff.
No other dancers, but Etta and the Manager were watching us sitting
on the cloak counter,
It began 10 past 9:00 p.m. with a chorus of "Happy Bithday To You"
followed by short Q and A.
The highlight of this event was next.
True-or-False quize from Will himself :-)
Two winners got copies of programme of Highland Fling UK tour
with an autograph signed by Will.
The quizes were like:
*The first production of Matthew Bourne I saw was Highland Fling.
TRUE
*The first production of Matthew Bourne I performed in was Swan
Lake. TRUE
*My hobby is yogga. TRUE
*My favorite colour is green. FALSE
(His favorite color is blue)
*My favorite Japanese food is Okonomiyaki. TRUE
*I performed Draculla in the movie Van Helsing. FALSE,
indeed!
*I performed the Pilot in Cinderella. TRUE
(I added answers)
Like a home party. Small and at home actually. I hope Will enjoyed
it.
(2005/07/01)
Something happened and Matthew Bourne didn't appear on the stage of
"Highland Fling"
for the post-performance talk yesterday.
Luckily enough, instead we had Etta Murfitt and four dancers,
such as
Adam Galbraith, James Leece, lately Noi Tolmer and Mami Tomotani.
There were very interesting Qs and As and I enjoyed their talk as much
as the performance.
As for luckier bonus for fans, the cast stood in the foyer to send
off the audience.
They gave us autographs and smiles for photo shooting.
It was really a fun, though I missed Matthew.
Many events will follow in Tokyo.
On June 30, one-day-late birthday
party for Will Kemp will be held in the foyer
with exclusively selected fans.
On July 5, post performance talk
with Will and Etta for all ticket holders.
Two Special campaigns for repeaters after Tanabata(Star Festival)
On July 7, repeated ticket holders
have a chance to get a surprise from his/her favorite dancer.
On July 8, repeated ticket holders
will meet the cast wearing Yukata(Kimono for summer).
Also on July 8, a
special open workshop of pre-performance exercise with NA's trainer
Ava
Katics
will be held from 15:30 to 17:00 in Ikebukuro
Community College.
Lesson fee is 15,750 yen including a ticket for July 1 performance.
Too many news?
Here's one more.
New
auction item has been displayed.
It's a masterpiece of Philip Willingham, the artist :-)
Will's
old T-shirt and Special
T-shirt with autograpghs of all the cast are also going under the hammer.
Too hot and humid in these days in Tokyo.
I hope not the cast are down with this terrible weather.
Take a good care of yourself, everyone!
(2005/06/27)
"Highland Fling"
had a brilliant opening night in Tokyo.
It's a really lovely piece and I enjoyed it very much.
Although it's a compact production
with very short running time(1h 40m including intermission) and only
11 dancers on stage,
it was a jewel box of dancing.
All dancers keep dancing althrough the performance,
which seems very tough and tiresome.
Will Kemp as James was especially exciting in dancing and charming
in acting.
Kerry Beggin was a very mischievous, pretty and "living-dead" Sylph.
Settings and wordrobe by Lez Brotherstone are weirdly beautiful and
attractive.
Paul Constable's lighting was also super and fantastic,
changing colors of the sky gradually and effectively from sunrise to
darkness.
Music selection was excelent as well.
Very good reactions of audience, good laughs and big applauses during
the show.
Curtain calls didn't stop even after the auditorium was lighted
and when at last the cast appeared again on the stage,
full standing obation wellcomed them!
Matthew Bourne himself also stood up at his seat in the auditorium
with Etta Murfitt.
CAST
James, the groom : Will Kemp
Effie, his intended : Mikah Smillie
Robbie, the best-man : James Leece
Dorty, the bridesmaid : Shelby Williams
Gurn, who loves Effie : Lee Smikle
Madge, who loves James : Mireille Noi Tolmer
Angus, who loves himself : Mat Flint
Ewan, who is confused : Ross Carpenter
Jeannie, a fashion victim : Genma Payne
Morag, a victim : Hannah Vassallo
The Sylph : Kerry Beggin
Theatre
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Middle Hall
Running until July 10, 2005.
(2005/06/23)
According to Adam Cooper's Official
website,
current cast list of
"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"at Sadler's Wells is as follows.
Adam Cooper : Vicomte de Valmont
Sarah Wildor : Madame de Tourvel
Sarah Barron : Marquise de Merteuil
Yolande Yorke-Edgell/Wendy Woodbridge : Madame de Volanges
Helen Dixon : Cecile de Volanges
Damian Jackson : Chevalier Danceny
Marilyn Cutts : Madame de Rosemonde
Richard Curto : Comte de Gercourt
Barnaby Ingram : Comte de Prevan
Covers
Simon Cooper : Vicomte de Valmont (updated
June 24)
Michael Kopinski : Danceny & Prevan
Simone Sault : Cecile & Madame de Tourvel
(2005/06/18)
According to information from Horipro,
other events will be held at the theatre of "Highland
Fling."
Post performance talk with Will Kemp and Etta
Murfitt
on Tuesday, July 5.
Special auction throughout the run.
They will display some articles concerning Highland Fling and dancers
including Will's T-shirts and special T-shirts signed by cast.
Audience can perticipate bidding by submiting your highest price.
Winning bidders in the auction will be announced on the closing day.
(2005/06/05)
I'm happy to hear from one of my friends who just came back from London
that The
Soldier's Tale was really brilliant and as gorgeous as the first
one.
Now in Japan, we are ready to welcome Will Kemp in Highland
Fling.
The Sylphide
Cafe will close tomorow, though.
You have to hurry to visit to try the special dessert.
BS/WOWOW will broadcast
Will's special interview at 18:00- on May 18.
According to the latest flier of Highland Fling,
they are planning a talk event with Matthew
Bourne
after the performance on Sunday June 26.
All ticket holders can join it and will have chances to ask questions
to Matthew!
(2005/05/16)
William Tucket's "The
Soldier's Tale" made a triumphant return home,
Linbury Studio Theatre last night.
How I wish I were there!
Congratulations to Adam, Zen, Will and Matthew the flame-burner devil
;-)
and all staffs and crews including music players!
Wish you a great success again.
(2005/05/12)
Swans left Japan after the final performance in Kobe
I hope safty and good luck on their journey to Korea and then home.
Take care and see you again soon.
(2005/05/05)
The 50th annual Drama Desk Award nominations were announced
on 28 April at Fliars Club in NY and
Matthew Bourne's PWW was nominated
in 6 divisions!
Outstanding Director of a Musical : Matthew
Bourne
Outstanding Choreography : Matthew Bourne
Outstanding Music :Terry Davies
Outstanding Set Design of a Musical :
Lez Brotherston
Outstanding Costume Design : Lez Brotherston
Unique Theatrical Experience
Congratulations to Matthew and all staffs and cast!!
See full nominations and more information about Drama Desk Award in
its official website.
(2005/04/30)
Matthew Bourne's "Swan Lake" has finished all schedule of Tokyo run.
Swans are leaving for Kobe, the last place for Japan tour.
Good luck to all of cast, players and staff!
Thank you for wonderful performance every day.
(2005/04/27)
According to Matthew Bourne's
"Swan Lake" UK official website,
Swans will return to UK this autumn and make a tour to Paris!
UK tour : Sep. 24 - Nov.14, 2005
Cities: WOKING, BRADFORD, GLASGOW, STOKE, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES,
WIMBLEDON
Paris tour: Nov. 16 - Jan. 8, 2006 at Theatre
Mogador
Catch BOX OFFICE swan to see more.
(Thank you, Dani)
Will Kemp will appear on TV in Japan.
Fri. April 15 13:05 - 13:59 LIVE
NHK "Studio
Park kara konnichiwa"
Friday
Special Talk corner
Free entrance
tickets(limited to 30 peaple, first comers or by lot)
will be distributed from 12:30 in front of the studio.
This program is available realtime all over the world through NHK
Premium(paid service) including
TV Japan(for
North America)
JSTV(for
Europe and Africa)
(2005/04/10)
Sadler's Wells uploaded
video clips of Japanese tour
Adam
Cooper's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
WindowsMediaPlayer or Quick Time required.
Actually it is a united video with three versions of TV advert.
They uploaded it just as it was on air during the tour.
So if you read Japanese, it says "Day Tickets Available!" :-)
(2005/04/09)
Swans are now back in Tokyo.
Visit Bunkamura
website and find out video clips of
new
interviews with Jose Tirad and Niel Westmoland added lately.
And next week, Will Kemp will come to Japan for promotion
for Matthew's "Highland Fling."
He will be very busy with several events including:
Thu. April 14 Talk Show as opening
event of Sylphide Cafe (open for limited time only from May 3 to
17)
At Cafe ease
in Marunouchi-building.
Announcement is here.
Adam Cooper's "LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES"official
goods
are now available(by May 1) in e-plus online
shopping.
(2005/04/07)
Matthew's "Swan Lake" will visit Kobe
first of May after Tokyo run.
DATE: May 3 and 4, 2005
THEATRE: Kobe International
House Hall
And according to New
Adventure's Official website,
Swans will go to US in January 2006,
and visit many cities including
Tempe, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia,
Los Angeles, Toronto.
Hurray! Congratulations to American fans!
(2005/04/01)
Bunkamura
gave me a reply that they had a server trouble,
but it recovered and all video clips including
Old
interviews with Matthew and the Swans and Backstage
Tour
are available now! Visit and enjoy them.
See all links to video clips of Swan
Lake Japan.
e-plus are now
releasing 4 video clips of "Highland Fling" as follows:
Rehersal video
TV advert
Comments from Matthew,
Will and Kerry
Performance in London
These are almost same as in the official website,
but you don't need install any other applications.
(2005/03/28)
Swans are imigrating across Japan and will come back to Tokyo in April.
I'm looking forward to seeing them again soon.
Bunkamura
is generous enough to let out so many video clips including
new
interviews with Jason Piper and Chris Marney,
(ones with Jose Tirad and Niel Westmoland will be coming soon)
cast
interview and a delightful recording in the restaurant A Biento
and stage
performance casting Yasuyuki Shuto as the Prince.
Choose the speed of your internet enviroment.
e-plus also releases
a video clip of an interview
with Matthew Bourne
introduced by Jason and Jose and showing some scenes at the opening
night in London.
Have you seen new contents in "Highland
Fling" Japanese official website?
Click a small triangle in the lefthand to find photo gallery of London
stage
and video clips of highlights from Act 1 and Act 2.
NOTE: Bunkamura
seems to have a technical trouble or something.
Old
interviews with Matthew and the Swans and Backstage
Tour
are not available now.
(2005/03/25)
Sadler's Wells announced summer season programs including
Adam
Cooper's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."
Date: July 21 - August 14, 2005
(Preview July 21 - 24)
Tickets: 13 - 45 pounds now on sale online
Don't miss Post-PerformanceTalk with Adam
Cooper on July 28.
Check news in Whatsonstage
and Adam Cooper's official
websaite.
(2005/03/11)
Enjoy the Backstage
Tour in Sadler's Wells
with tour Guide of two Swan dancers, Jason Piper and Jose Tirad.
Choose the communication speed according to your enviroment.
Have a nice (video) clip! ;-)
(2005/03/09)
Bunkamura's
Swan Lake website has uploaded a
flash report
about Yasuyuki Shuto's debut as the Prince.
I saw the performance last Saturday, which was really briliant.
I found Jason Piper is a very good dancer with a wild and strong body
and a stormy good looks.
Yas Shuto is a very expressive dancer and performed the prince
with passion rather than tradgedy.
You can check cast
list after the performance.
e-plus uploaded a
new video clip of "Highland Fling" rehaersal,
which I think is the same one as in the official
websit,
Now it annouces Matthew Bourne's winning the Olivier Award
for the choreography of "Mary Poppins."
Congratulations to Matthew!
(2005/03/08)
"Highland Fling" Japanese
official website has been updated
with good video clips of rehersals, TV advert. and interviews with
Matthew, Will and Kerry.
Click the small triangle on the lefthand of the homepage to find them.
Swan Lake's Bunkamura
website has uploaded a
new report
about a kind of fan meeting in Roppongi.
It was attended by Jason Piper, Chris Marney and Niel Westmoland.
Scroll down the page and find many photos which shows enlarged one
for each.
(2005/03/04)
Sorry to be late to inform you about "Swan Lake" opened on Feb. 22,
while I was in Nagano to see Liaisons.
Here is a
report of the gorgeous opening night in Tokyo.
Jason Piper and Christopher Marney were casted
and warmly welcomed by fans.
In the trains of Yamanote Line a new video advert. is released.
It features Jose and Niel as well as Jason and Chris.
Yas Shuto is also there as the Prince.
If you are lucky enough, you can see both advert. videos
of "Swan Lake" and "Highland Fling" during 10 minute ride on the train.
I'm looking forward to seeing the performance this weekend at last.
You can see a
new image of the poster and flier for "Highland Fling"
in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and
Tokyo Art Theatre website.
Isn't this so beautiful and mysterious?
(2005/03/02)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIAISONS DANGEREUSES" has finished its all schedule of Japan
Tour
with enthusiastic curtain calls in Festival Hall Osaka.
Thank you Adam and all the cast and crew
for bringing such a great performance first of the world!!
You've done a really beautiful job.
I hope you will come back to Japan after the world tour.
(2005/02/27)
e-plus uploaded a video
clip of of "Highland Fling"
advert. broadcasted on TV and in the train.
Just take a look!
e-plus Highland
Fling ticket information also announced that
they will invite 30 people among ticket buyers to a special event attended
by Will Kemp.
(2005/02/19)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIAISONS DANGEREUSES" has started Japanese tour from Nagoya,
which will be followed by Nagano, Kobe and Osaka.
Now you can mail order ofiicial goods from Official
website.
Though unfortunately it seems valid only in Japan,
I hope you enjoy views of goods including programme and photo book.
Liaisons left Tokyo but "Swan
Lake" will be in Tokyo in three days!
And you can see advert. video of "Highland
Fling" on TV(Ch.12) and in the trains of Yamanote Line.
It features some scenes of rehersal and a message from Will Kemp "Be
there!"
Japanese fans are really lucky.
(2005/02/19)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIAISONS DANGEREUSES" Tokyo run has ended up
in a great success.
Congraturations to Adam and all of Company!
Thank you so much for bringing this production to Japan first.
Japanese fans are really lucky to see it.
I wish you successes in other cities as well.
Take care, have nice trips and enjoy your perfomance.
(2005/02/16)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIAISONS DANGEREUSES" has started Aoyama Gekijo's run.
Stage photo book of this production are now on sale in the theatere.
It is A5-sized and full of beatiful shotos by Hidemi Seto,
a Japanese genious photographer of dancing.
Now you can read some reviews in English here,
Japan
Times and Yomiuri
Online.
I'm relieved I don't need to write an English review :-)
I'll try one anyway, but not sure.
Have you seen this video clip?
e-plus released a
new one.
It's really fabulous!
(2005/02/09)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIAISONS DANGEREUSES" has finished
its Yu-port Kan'i Hoken Hall's run in a great success.
It is going to Aoyama Gekijo Theatre from Feb. 9.
They announced the publication of the stage
photo book.
And Adam will sign his autographs on the photo books bought by audience
on Feb.11
after the evening performance staring Simon Cooper as Valmont.
Here are links to a video clip featuring beautiful scenes of the performance.
Find TV CM(advert.)on
ABC(Asahi Broadcasting Corporation)
You need Windows Media Player to see them.
(2005/02/06)
Bunkamura's
"Swan Lake" website now has two nice video clips
of interviews with Jason Piper and Jose Tirad.
(2005/02/02)
"Highland Fling" Japanese
official website has been updated
with some good interesting pictures of London reheresal.
I'm afraid you may have a little difficuty to find the link.
Just click the left-hand small triangle to find the pictures.
Photographing for the new poster and TV adv. will soon come up.
(2005/02/01)
I saw Liaisons for the third time today.
It was far, far better than the opening day!
Much improved in all respects, especially in lighting and sound.
Progress on the stage was more smooth.
Dancing and choreography were getting more interpretive,
so I could understand the story and relationships of the characters
more clearly.
I was so much impressed and moved that I couldn't stand up for a while
after Act 1.
And I couldn't stop crying after Act 2.
Adam has done a really great job.
I'm looking forward to seeing how far he will go.
The official website
has been updated with several beautiful stage photos.
Don't miss them.
Today's performance was followed by a post-performance talk with
Adam Cooper.
Adam talked about his thoughts and objects of this production.
He said he was really relieved that he could had the world premiere
successfully,
and happy with good reaction from audience.
Adam also talked about his biggest hardness and happiness with Liaisons.
The answer for the former was to find money :-) and right cast, both
he could luckily find.
And one for the latter was "all." He really enjoyed working with any
other staff and cast.
He answered some questions from the audience.
Finally he thanked the audience for coming to the theatre and all their
support for him.
One lucky fan got a hat with Liasons logo which Adam threw toward the
audience.
Sorry for very short report, but just for your reference.
(2005/01/30)
Adam Cooper's "LES
LIASONS DANGEREUSES" had a brilliant opening day.
There were two performances on the day, wherein everything was
really stunning and breathtaking.
It won standing obation of most of the audience.
I don't think I should tell you in full details now.
Because it is full of surprises and beyond my expectation.
You should see it by yourself!
But for those who can't wait,
I'm struggling to write a brief review in English.
Give me a time.
(2005/01/22)
e-plus uploaded a
report of press conference of Adam and Lez.
They also let out a new
video clip of promotion
with really fantastic music!
Further in the above report, they announced
a post-performance talk show
on Jan. 30
with Adam Cooper.
Anybody who have and will have tickets of the day can join.
Get a ticket and a chance to gain a programme signed by Adam.
Check the e-plus campaign.
(2005/01/20)
Now we can watch Swan Lake video adv. in Yamate Line(JR), dancing
Jason Piper.
Here is another
link to a video clip of Adam's Press Conference.
Only two days left until the world premiere!
(2005/01/19)
Promotions are going on and on in Japan
-- "Swan Lake" and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" --
I hope you can find and enjoy links to video clips of hilights of Sadler's
Wells' "Swan Lake"
and interviews with Matthew Bourne in Bunkamura
website.
I've set up countdown to the world premiere of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
on the
top page.
It's only one week left. I can't wait!
In Tokyo, you can see many posters here and there
such as at Shinjuku
station(Keio New Line), Omotesando
station(Tokyo Metro)
and many other stations. This
is in front of Aoyama Gekijo.
Tokyu Line is broadcasting an advertisement video of "Les Liaisons
Dangereuses"
including rehersing scenes as well as one of "Swan Lake"
which features Jason Piper as the Swan and Stranger
on the liquid cristal displays installed in the the latest-model trains.
Take a look of Shibuya
station with five poles adv. From
another angle. Zoom
in. Closer.
Tokyo now looks like full of Adams :-) Swan
Lake, too.
On TV advertisement videos are broadcasted again and again everyday.
We had a special program last week reporting Adam and his Company
rehersing in London which was really exciting to see.
Information on the internet is also increasing.
Here is a London
report in the official website.
And another in
e-plus website.
They have announced an additional
performance starring Simon Cooper
which sounds very interesting.
Now Adam is in Tokyo.
He had a press conference on Jan. 10.
Here is a link
to the video clip of that accompanied with Ryoko Yonekura,
an actress who learned ballet since she was very young and saw Adam
in Lausanne ballet contest.
Stage rehersal will start next week. Wish you a great success, Adam!
(2005/01/14)
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