Director's Program

“Night on the Milky Way Train” with Sign Language Interpretation

Seinendan

Based on Kenji Miyazawa
Written and directed by Oriza Hirata
Supervision of sign language: NPO Theatre Accessibility network

Area

Ebara

Venue

Ebara Riverside Theatre (Ebara Kahan Gekijyou)

Date and Time

Sep.14(Sat)11:30, 18:30
Sep.15(Sun)18:30

Performance Duration

Approx. 65 minutes
Reception Open: 45 mins before the show
Doors Open: 30 mins before the show

Performance Language

Performed in Japanese / Japanese Sign language interpreter / With Japanese and English subtitles

Admission Fee

【All seats unreserved】
Advance Tickets: ¥2,500
Same-day Tickets: ¥3,000
Advance Tickets U25/Student/Disabled Discount: ¥1,500*
Same-day Tickets Disabled Discount: ¥2,000*
U18 for advance and Same-day: Free*
Uzumaku Pass: ¥1,000

Clap Mates*
If there are remaining seats on the day, you can watch the performance for free who aged 19 to 25, or those with a valid student ID.

*Please proof required on the day of the event

Ticket

“Milky Way Station…”
The train conductor’s voice suddenly echoes in Giovanni’s ears as he solemnly looks at the night sky during the star festival.
As he travels among various constellations with his best friend Campanella in search of “true happiness,” where do the two arrive?

This performance vividly adapts Kenji Miyazawa’s classic children’s tale by focusing on the simple structure of telling a coming-of-age story about a young boy’s growth as he comes to terms with his friend’s death. Aimed towards children, a French version of this piece was created in 2011, which was followed by a Japanese version. The work also inspired the novel, The Curtain Rises.

The piece, which has toured widely at home and abroad and is enjoyed by adults and children alike, will be presented for the first time with Japanese sign language interpretation.

*How does sign language interpretation work in theaters?
It is a form of simultaneous interpretation in which the interpreter communicates in real time the dialogue and scenes using sign language. Unlike conventional sign language interpretation, the director gives instructions and the interpreter stands onstage as one of the performers to communicate the dialogue and scenes to audience members.

Performers: Haruno Yamada, Riko Nagata, Michiko Fukuda, Mima Chinen, Tomoko Takahashi

Staff: Set Designer: Itaru Sugiyama
Stage Manager: Takao Nakanishi
Lighting Designer: Shoko Mishima, Aya Nishimoto
Subtitle translator: Holly Middlebrooks
Subtitles: Aya Nishimoto
Subtitle Operator: Chen Yenchun
Sound Designer: Yuta Senda
Video Designer: Kazuki Watanabe
Video Operator: Yozo Shimada
Costume Designers: Aya Masakane, Akiko Nakahara
Production Manager: Chiqco Akabane

Accessibility

♡Relax・Performance Details
Date: September 14 (Sat) 11:30

Theater performances are normally quiet environments for the audience where remaining in one’s
seat and refraining from conversation is encouraged. While these rules are put in place to ensure
guests enjoy the performances without distractions, young children, those with developmental delays,
and their families may find it difficult to go to the theater.
During this relaxed performance, all guests regardless of age or mental capability can enjoy theater in
an understanding environment.
Please note:

During the performance, guests may leave and return to their seats on a free basis.
Some lights will remain on during the performance.
Guests may have light conversation during the performance.
Guests may lightly move their body during the performance.
Infants and toddlers are welcome. Childcare services are also available for those interested.

These points make this performance a unique experience different from most. We thank you for your
understanding.
There will be some loud noises and the venue will be dark but not completely. We thank you for your
understanding.

The venue has the following facilities:
Breastfeeding room
Diaper changing station
Multipurpose toilet

Wheelchair Seats
For wheelchair seats, or the person requests to be accompanied by a caregiver.
Before purchasing tickets, please inquire at the Festival Center counter or fill out the inquiry form.

Childcare Services (Reservation Required)
Date: 9/14 (Sat) 11:30, 9/15 (Sun) 18:30
Childcare services will be provided free of charge. For details, please click here.

Notes

Recommended age: 10 years old and up

A lecture on sign language interpretation for the stage will be given 1 hour prior to each performance.
The lecture will be held in sign language with reading interpretation and Japanese subtitles (lecturer:
Asako Hirokawa).
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Location: Ebara Riverside Theater, 2nd Floor Studio
Open to participants (limited to those with tickets to this performance)

Credits: Planning and production: Seinendan
Presented by Toyooka Theater Festival Executive Committee

Seinendan: Seinendan is a theater company formed by Oriza Hirata in Tokyo in 1983. We have been pursuing a new theatrical style through the practice of Hirata's "contemporary colloquial theater theory.” His radically novel style has had a strong influence on Japanese theater since the 1990s as well as across literature, linguistics and language education. Since 2020, we have been conducting a diverse range of performance activities nationwide, with the Ebara Riverside Theatre in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture serving as our new base.