Mittman at Ricca Ricca Festa 2017
ESM Okinawa will be promoting ”Mittman” by "Team Spot Jumble"at Ricca Ricca Festa 2017. Please come to see the performance and contact me if you have any enquiries. We look forward to seeing you at the venue!
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“Middle Mitt”, a show launched with Okinawa-based actor Hiroyuki Shimabukuro and members of Team Spot Jumble among others, is to be re-launched as “Mittman." Mittman debuted to sold-out audiences at Ricca Ricca Festa 2016 (International Children's and Youth Theater Festival Okinawa). It was performed five times over the course of three days, and it attracted audiences from both Okinawa and overseas.
[Schedules]
◆ "Mittman" at Ricca Ricca Festa 2017
Date & Time: Thu, 27th July 19:00 / Fri, 28th 13:00 / Sat, 29th 15:00 / Sun, 30th 11:00
Venue: Atelier Mekaru Base
[Contents]
Mittman is an original comedy show featuring the combination of Karate, which originated in Okinawa, and traditional Japanese drumming. It is mostly a non-verbal performance, with only the word "Usu" spoken. Full of action with an easy-to-follow storyline, Mittman brings a smile to the entire audience — not only to children but also to adults — without drawing attention to language barriers.
[Synopsis]
Four mittmans visit Okinawa for sightseeing when their spaceship breaks down; placing them in a tough situation. Needing money to repair their spaceship, they try whatever they can to raise funds, but their ineptitude invariably frustrates their efforts. Will the mittmans be able to fly away? The fate of the mittmans is in your hands!
[Cast]
Team Spot Jumble (TSJ) is the leading entertainment theater company in Okinawa. Hiroyuki Shimabukuro, Keiichi Yonamine, and Yasushi Murayama are experienced members of TSJ who, in collaboration with Okinawan Wadaiko percussionist Hideto, create a breathtaking show that showcases their excellent skill in Karate, dance, and drumming.
Hiroyuki Shimabukuro (TSJ / from Urasoe City, Okinawa)
Shimabukuro is in charge of the composition and direction of this production. He is a great performer of action who has performed in the Amon Miyamoto directed dance performance Tee! Tee! Tee!, and in several stage plays and films.
Keiichi Yonamine (TSJ / from Haebaru Town, Okinawa)
Yonamine is known as the Habu Kragen of "Ryujin Mabuya." He is an excellent comic performer and is very popular among children, despite playing a villain. For this performance, he shows his humorous side to keep the audience laughing.
Yasushi Murayama (TSJ / from Miyakojima City, Okinawa)
Maruyama is known as the Ryukyu (Okinawan) Tom Cruise. With an overwhelming presence, he's unforgettable once you see him on stage. Maruyama adds extra spice to the show.
HIDETO (Okinawan Wadaiko player from Ginowan City, Okinawa)
Hideto is a teacher of Okinawa Wadaiko (Japanese traditional drumming) and the leader of an Okinawa Wadaiko drumming troupe named DAZOKU. For this performance, he plays without drumsticks in a new and high-energy performance that electrifies the audience with pulsating light and the beat of the drum.
[Message from Director Hiroyuki Shimabuku]
"I want to make a new form of entertainment in Okinawa!" This project was born from an idea; a continuous experimentation with punching, kicking, and breaking various things. I would like to make this show enjoyable for audiences of all ages without a language barrier. We are looking forward to hearing your hand clapping and laughter at the venue. There is a clumsy mittman in each of us, so I hope everyone loves mittman."
