Everyman (in Japanese, MinNa) is an allegorical morality play written by anonymous writer of the 10th Century.
I read it when I was an international student at University of Victoria, Canada, in 1986, and very much impressed.
At that time, I had no idea whatsoever that I was to be a theatre director. But in 2002, after I made myself in that occupation, I had a chance to put a show in a young and small theatre company. I chose this one without hesitation.
One of the significant points of this production was that we put it on a traditional Noh Theatre stage. It was so so so difficult to get permission from the Noh Family. It was such a new thing that a modern western-style theatre would use traditional Japanese theatre stage. We knew nobody, we were unknown by anybody.
Another significant point of the show was that the cast was mixed with varied nationalities. English, Cameroonian, Singaporean, and Japanese. I think ours was one of the earliest experiment to put a theatre piece in multi-lingual and multi-national.
The Gods are gathering to discuss how to deal with people who do not show any respect to them. The masks are hung from bamboo rods, the face-cover, head-piece, and the white costumes are made of Japanese Washi paper.
Gods decided to eliminate people. A god summons Everyman (MinNa) and tell him that Death would fetch him today. The masks are hung on decorated tree in Traditional Noh Style. Those decoration trees are designed by KoEn Yokoi.
Everyman, so astonished, tries to find co-traveller to Hell. All his Friends (Tomo), his kinsmen (Shinrui Enja)rejected him, even though they said “I’ll do anything for you.” These modern clothes are normal clothes.
Disappointed by human beings, MinNa now tries to persuade Money (YutakaSa), but in vain. The gorgeous blue dress and head-set are made of Japanese Washi paper.
But there come Knowledge (Chishiki) and Good Deed (Yoi Okonai), and tell MinNa that if he should prepare with the robe of sorrow, Five Great Senses will be with him.
But then, great companions come to him. And they all start to go down to Hell, playing music and singing together.
Among them are Common Sense (Shiryo Funbetsu), Energy (Chikara), Beauty (Utsukushi), and other good simbols join him to the road to Hell.
At last, he came to the gate of Hell. The elements are astonished and cannot go further. They have lost their power.
But Good Deeds (Yoikoto) says she will be with him whatever happens and wherever he goes. Then Death descends and brings them away to the world of death.
How do you like it?
I love my directing. (If not, who would?) And, as I put the memories together after 18yearts from the production, I am proud of myself. The idea, the setting, the translation, and the new challenges. I thank the actors, though some of them I have lost my track, those talented and challenging, and exciting people!
Hi! Thank you for visiting the website of ELICA MIWA.
The calligraphy you see above means Heaven (pronounced as ‘ten’), done by myself, on the new year’s eve of 2019.
Let’s see how ELICA lived her 2018 with you.
January Live Interaction Coaches
Produced two coaches for Live Interaction Technique. These two people I helped will help thousands of people. Great!
ライブインタラクションのコーチを2名送り出しました。一人の力から社会貢献へ
February Cinderella, Cinderella
Directing and performing (the second sister) of Cinderella, Cinderella, by Steve and Kathy Hotchner, as a studying reading piece, translated into Japanese by yuma. Families and kids really enjoyed the show. Great to contribute.
おバカな母娘
妖精と
March Cinderella
Directing and set design of a new musical Cinderella, music composed by Shun Ito,. written by Rina Kubota, produced by Yamanashi Centre for Culture Colany Culture Hall. 2000 audience enjoyed and we made some nice impact for their future. Great!
シンデレラ ねずみたちのプリンセス 大所帯の集合写真
あ〜あ〜あ〜！シンデレラ、かぼちゃの馬車、ネズミの馬たち
さあ宴を。グランフィナーレ
April Teaching
The spring terms beginning for National University of the Arts and Music, Meiji University Business School, Otsuma Women’s University, and Ferris Women’s University, where I teach acting, opera and musical acting, live-interaction skills and English. The students I teach, support, and help will do many many good things in their lives and for their friends. Influence circles get bigger and bigger. Great!
Tokyo University of Art Spring
Otsuma Women’s University
Sophia University MA
Meiji University MBA
Ferris Women’s University
Tokyo University of Art Fall
May ITI, Japan
Reselected as a board member of International Theatre Institute (under UNESCO) Japanese Centre. I humbly accepted, thinking if my trivial existence may help and make some impact on any individual’s life and mind, and world’s peace. God bless us all.
June Othello
Translating, script writing, directing, designing, and performing of Othello, by W. Shakespeare, both as the title role and Iago alternatively with Luther Hiroshi Ichimura, as a Shakespeare promotional study and enjoy series called Playful Reading of Shakespeare, self produced. Great to contribute to tell how wonderful Shakespeare is and to perform Shakespeare is. Lovely!
Othello
Iago
Othello
With Desdemona
Othello, Emilia, Iago
with Emilia
Othello
Iago
June North Shore, Hawaii
Trip to Hawaii, where I have my corporate company. Spent a whole week in Northshore. Wonderful people, wonderful life!
Sharks Cove
Mexican Hat, Oahu.
Waikiki Diamond Head
Sharks Cove
August Hiroshima
Research trip to Hiroshima, for I have appointed to perform the river Ota of Hiroshima (which was atomic bombed and boiled at the instant but revived after several years), in a play called Moi, Ota, le Riviere d’Hiroshima, written by Jean Paul Allegre. It is a wonder to see how human beings can be so cruel and at the same time so strong to live against evil. Hail to our soul.
The birth place of River Ota
The origin of River Ota
Hiroshima
August Waterfall Purification Ceremony
First experience of Waterfall Purification under my calligraphy and Shugendo master. Shugendo is thought to be a sect of Buddhism, but in fact it may be one of the oldest religious mindful and physical trainings in Japan. Love the water. Wonderful!
Shuk-Ya Water Fall in Saitama
September Magic Flute
Directing,set and costume designing, and wow performing (the third knabe) of The Magic Flute, music composed by W.A. Mozart. This is my first ever opera stage since I started to practice Italian classical singing nine years ago. The production was supported by East Kofu High School, in Yamanashi Prefecture, for their high art festival. The program was made of two sections. The first part I made as “How to Cook Delicious Opera”, an introduction for opera and let the opera singers sang their favorite songs, accompanying Luther Hiroshi Ichimura and my navigating opera making process. 2000 students, parents, and teachers attended. Their response afterwards are sosososososo great! I am very happy to made some contribution to both opera-world and to the life of each audience member. Exciting!
Elica’s First Ever Opera Actor Performance
October The Merchant of Venice
Translating, adaptation into musical script writing, directing, set and costume design, and performing (Portia), for a musical version of The Merchant of Venice, by W. Shakespeare. The production was produced by Yamanashi Central Bank Kofu Division’s 40th anniversary event. The outcome from the audience was great and encouraging. It was my pleasure to utter those wonderful words of Portia and convey the idea of beautiful equality of human beings. I am blessed if the production contributed to anybody enjoying the moment and gaining the positive happy power to go on.
Asking Shylock
Thrice Money to Shylock
A ring to Portia
Welcome Back to Belmont
Will you or will you not?
November Moi, Ota, le Riviere d’Hiroshima
Performing the river Ota of Hiroshima. The play is written by a great contemporary French writer M. Jean Paul Allegre. Translated into Japanese and directed by Mme. Masako Okada. The production has been staged several times already in Japan. In fact, Masako Okada’s production was the world premiere in 2016. The actress who performed Ota since then retired by a private happy reason, and I was appointed by Masako Okada with a telephone call. This was my first acting experience on a professional stage full production, directed by other than myself. It has been one of the most wonderful time in my life. Acting! Such a bliss! I acted the river Ota. I acted the violently ri_pped-off souls of Hiroshima. I acted the power of life against all evil. The production moved so many audience. Then each one will pass the word of peace to his/her friends and family, and they will pass the word of peace, too. My pleasure will be there.
Remembering young river
feeling young river
Utterless
The Moment 08:15
The team
Boiled and dead
Born as the river
talking to the audience
Moi, Ota, le Riviere d’Hiroshima
November Shakespeare and Music
Had a wonderful talk show with one of the best composers in Japan Mr Shinichiro Ikebe. The show was held in Kanazawa prefecture, Japan, where great tradition still remains. Shakespeare can be combined with anything. Mr Shinichiro Ikebe is a great lover of theatre, and he made thousands of music for plays in Japan. more than 10 years ago, he works with me and since then we are really good friends. His talk on Shakespeare is so much fun. I really enjoyed being with him. another contribution for the art for its sake and for the audience’s richer life.
With Mr ShinIchiro Ikebe OJE
In Caterina’s costume
November International Interaction
Germany, Herr Engel, theatre for peace
France, Jean Paul Allegre, Playwright
England and Israel, Ilan Reichel Animal Movement
December Happy Time
My December has been a quiet lovely resting month. Clearing up and thanking to my audience and production staff members. O, I also decided to teach translation to raise professional theatre translators. Lovely students gathered and looking forward to staring in a few weeks.
Hello, from Kanazawa
One More Thing My Book has been translated into Chinese.
My book British Style Acting has been translated into Chinese.
New Year Resolution 2019
To contribute more for the peace and happiness of the world.
To lead both an exciting and peaceful life.
To enjoy. Laugh, Love, Live!
Wishing You a Very Happy New Year!
Thank you very much for each one of you I met and talk both in real and internet life.
