Imphal, January 06: Chorus Repertory Theatre, Imphal is all set to kick off the Asian Theatre festival tomorrow at its playhouse 'The Shrine' beginning with the play 'The Lineage' to be staged by the Japanese theatre troupe 'Black Tent Theatre'.

Governor Ved Marwah will open the festival while the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh will preside over it and the Arts and Culture Minister Dr M Nara will be the honored guest.

Natsuko Kiritani, lady director of the Black Tent Theatre during a pre-show talk told reporters this afternoon that the play depicts the Japanese feudal system as the family has been isolated by the society.

It also portrays how the human beings are destroyed very easily; the director said and added that Japanese contemporary events are also knitted with the play.

About their company, Kiritani stated that the Theatre was founded in 1968 and since then they have taken up four projects - mobile theatre, ordinary theatre, publication and education.

She said the theatre plays was stopped for 10 years from 1991 to 2002 as it became an oddity and difficult to find the land to put on the Tent.

It restarted again by adapting the styles and scripts of European plays however the ingredient of it is totally Japanese.

Though they have limited funds of their own they however manage to publish magazine and other publications besides running a theatre school, she said.

About the concept of Asian theatre she said that though the continent has different cultures and traditions she believed that they have the common seed.

She also gave a brief note about the production of their plays right from the writing of script to the performance on Stage.

Besides being a director of their company she also organized the Asian Feminist Art.

She said she felt so sad on seeing the Japanese war memorial at Maibam Lokpa Ching and added that she also felt proud of being invited in this State where arts and culture and traditions are so rich.

Earlier Chorus Repertory Theatre chairman Ratan Thiyam spoke on how he insisted upon the authorities concerned to organize this festival.

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