The Gull: The Steveston Noh Project May 10, 2006

Pangaea Arts presents
in association with the Gateway Theatre

The Gull: The Steveston Noh Project

Pangaea Arts presents The Gull: The Steveston Noh Project, a new Canadian Noh play by Daphne Marlatt, music by Richard Emmert about the experience of Japanese Canadian fishermen returning to Steveston after the internment years. Japanese Noh performers will collaborate with Canadian theater artists.

Richmond City Hall hosts the event in the North Plaza, where a traditional Noh stage will be erected inside a tent, from May 10 to 14, Thursday - Saturday 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm, 2 for 1 preview Wednesay 8pm.

Tickets $25.

Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond).

Tickets at the Gateway Theatre Box Office (604) 270-1812

Acclaimed BC author Daphne Marlatt has written an original Canadian Noh play,
The Gull, that speaks of the experience of Japanese-Canadians returning to Steveston after the internment years. The story features two brothers who return to Steveston to fish in 1950. While they are travelling up the coast for the first time, a ghostly creature, part woman and part bird, visits their boat. She pleads for the brothers to leave the hostile West Coast and return to their parent?s birthplace in Wakayama-ken, Japan.

Noh Theatre is the oldest existing form of theatre and is a combination of stylized gesture, expressive dance, powerful chant, elegant mask, and intricate percussion, creating a uniquely mysterious and memorable beauty.

Internationally acclaimed Noh master Akira Matsui (designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the government of Japan in 1998) and Noh expert Richard Emmert will travel from Japan to mentor and collaborate with Canadian theatre artists.

Professional Noh musicians Mitsuo Kama, Hitoshi Sakurai, Naoko Takahashi, and Narumi Takizawa will come from Japan to participate in this cultural collaboration.

Canadian performers include Alvin Catacutan, David Fujino, Simon Hayama, Michael Robinson, Ari Solomon, Kerry Vandergriend and Minoru Yamamoto.

Richmond City Hall hosts the event in the North Plaza, where a traditional Noh stage will be erected inside a tent. Parking is available on the 2nd floor of the Richmond Cultural Centre parkade.

Wakayama artist Hakuzan Kubo has created two original Noh masks for this production, and will bring from Japan a selection of his masks for display at the Richmond Museum.

Canadian designers include costumer Margaret McKea, lighting designer Bill Davey, and set designer Phillip Tidd.

For information, contact: Lenard Stanga
Phone: (604)875-8316
Fax: (604)875-8311
E-mail: [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.pangaea-arts.com