Two dance works co-produced by Aichi Arts Center is set to perform in three US cities this May

The works, The Dying Swan and The Dying Swan & Its Cause of Death, are based on the theme of “The Origin of Choreography (Inheritance of Academism in Dance” and “Proposals for the Future”. A new version of The Swan originally choreographed by Mikhail Fokin is adapted and performed by Hana Sakai who was a principal dancer in the New National Theatre Ballet Company, Japan. The Dying Swan & Its Cause of Death is directed and written by Toshiki Okada, a well-known playwright, theatre director, novelist, and founder of the theatre company, chelfitsch.  

The Dying Swan (Image courtesy of Dance Base Yokohama (C)matron2022)

The Dying Swan & Its Cause of Death (Image courtesy of Dance Base Yokohama (C)matron2022)

They emphasise the firm connection between society and dance and insist that the next generation inherits the art of of dance. The works world-premiered in Aichi in 2021 and continued to be performed at nine other cities in Japan. They were seen by more than 2,000 people and received much acclaim.  

The process of the production can be seen on YouTube: https://dancebase.yokohama/production 

Arrangement & Cello by Udai Shika

Direction & Choreography by Toshiki Okada (Photo credit: Kikuko Usuya)

Performance by Hana Sakai (Photo credit: Tomohide Ikeya)