Shun-Kin Tickets

Amazing scripts, screenplay and actors. I would love to see again and again and again!

Besides the Shun-kin novel, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows (that I have read) was a major influence on this production, according to director Simon McBurney. Consequently the visual experience of the production deepened, expanded and enveloped the narrative. The result was one of the most soul stirring theatrical experiences I've ever had. The sheer joy of theatricality, the beauty and profundity of light and shadow--presence and absence, the deeply personal story layered in such thrilling and erotic complexity dazzled and touched me deeply. I will never forgot this production that along with a handful of others (including Robert LePage's Dragon Trilogy and Lee Breuer's Gospel at Colonus) have given me rare experiences of the transcendent power of performance.

Astounding storytelling, innovative lighting, set and sound design and inspired acting. Even sufficient comic relief to alleviate the heavy topic. The English supratitles were the only drawback, as one had to turn head, from second row where we sat, to see them well. By having to do this, I missed some of the action onstage, darn!! The Japanese speaking was also sufficiently clear and without many regionalisms for this non-native speaker to understand most of the dialogue. Loved the use of "moveable" walls--very culturally Japanese and minimal, very effective!

One of the most developed and deeply satisfying theatrical experiences I've had in a long time. Thank you for bringing this show to LA. I missed it in NYC.

Great directing and ensemble work. Excellent intercultural fusion. However, Simon McBruney's best work with Complicite is through embodying texts that have their own sense of movement as literature. The ebb and flow of choreographed space functions as movement that pushes the narrative forward. It is as if the embodied text is a character itself, and the staged narrative is not complete without the movement. The narrative text of "Shun-kin" did not need all of the creative movement to advance the story. The story was there, whatever the ensemble did. So, as much as I enjoyed the production, it was not "Amazing." I was simply a good night in the theatre.

This Japanese theater production was a special, rare treat for American audiences. The stagecraft was excellent and the performances were engaging. The opportunity to witness Japanese theater acted by some of Japan's leading actors was a privilege. The themes of love, passion, duty, and subservience through the lens of Japanese literature adapted for the stage was the type of cultural event that I thoroughly enjoy and relish to pull me out of the routine of life. Living in a cosmopolitan city like Los Angeles allows for cultural events like this which I enjoy availing myself of.

The mixture of cultures created an extraordinary successful collboration. One in which I shall never forget. Well done all!