Multi-directional Opera
for the 21st Century
for the 21st Century
Whaletone Opera - Act Three
- Curing Tonosama
February 2005- Curing Tonosama
WHALETONE DAY 6
Sunday morning - very relaxed 10.30-12.30. Working out some bits, the mirror ball and the power of love (great excitement),but not a full-run. Adding in the biwa player.
All ate bento-box lunch together. Lots of photographs, individuals, small groups,gifts and smiles, bright sun. Kana arrived and did karate tango demonstration. Nomura is very good at introducing everyone.
Final wind-band rehearsal. Slight changes to my piece and more improvising in Nomura's.
Tried out the masked ball with everyone. Practisedthe opening. Made some changes to the heavy ebidorean section. Tonosama tried his new hairstyle.
Concert Part 1 3pm-4pm. 102 in the audience, felt very full.
Ayako first - ave maria and blue sky
Mext Nomu,Hugh, Tomako, Umezu and Yamakawa improvising. Great improvising, duets, conducting, moving, funny.
Finally wind band. They played very well - 'Banana cake' and then 'Sumo girl becomes a Hippo'.
After banana cake we asked the audience if they could taste the cake and how different it was from the original version last year.
Interval - still bright sunshine.
Act 3 - 50 minutes long. Big success. Especially when considering that we had not actually done it before, only the separate bits. The group took it very seriously, but also had fun. Wonderful moments, funny, sad, audience really enjoying it.
Clearing up, chats,photos, drinks, snacks…
Big meal, next to a noisy student party…
Reading the evaluations…most folk wanted to see all of it next year, several wanted to take part in Act 5!
Nabe, sashimi, beer…
Everyone (20 of us) gave a speech, even those who had just been in the audience. Wonderful speeches from very short to emotional and heartfelt. Yumi translated for me. Really enjoyed the two people whotook part,but normally were part of the backstage team at Ezuko Amateur Theatre group. This was the only theatre they thought they could join and be on stage.
Chat of homestays for next year for family and others from England, also requests for Nomura and I to visit other schools.
Lots of laughing…
Onto a bar for more drinks and chat about Ezuko Hall. Bythis stagethe wind band members seemed very comfortable with us and this integration (one of Riken's ambitions) seemed very successful.
Hotel and sleep and hangover.
