DasSHOKU TeaParTEA! In Development
DasSHOKU TeaParTEA! will be Yumi’s new full-length stage work. Smashing together Yumi’s recent practice in Japanese tea ceremony (PopUp Tearoom Series) with her signature, iconic Butoh Cabaret series, DasSHOKU Tea ParTEA! combines elements of Butoh, Cabaret, and spoken word, woven from Japanese tea ceremony into English tea party, from Brazilian samba into Okuni-Kabuki dance during the Edo period in early1600. The work channels the original world of Kabuki, which originally meant ‘bent’ or ‘out of the ordinary’, as well as irregular and asymmetrical aesthetics of classic Japanese tea ceremony.
The first stage of creative development was completed in June 2019, and the second stage development was in Jan/Feb 2020.
The work will take place in a richly visual world created by The Sisters Hayes (set & costume) and Jenny Hector (lighting), with sound design and original score by Dan West. Yumi’s magnetic physical performance is accompanied by an outstanding team of performers- Willow J Conway (Ms Burlesque 2016/17), Gregory Lorenzutti (Brazilian samba & contemporary) and Harrison Hall (cutting edge contemporary dancer). Dramaturgy is by leading theatre maker and performer, Maude Davey.
DasSHOKU Tea ParTEA! will be realised as a 75min tea ceremony/party, including actual Japanese tea ceremony with audience interaction. Short segment of varying rituals with dance, text, and song will unfold through the visually morphing set designs.
CREATIVE TEAM
Creator/director/performer: Yumi Umiumare
Co-creator/performers:
Willow J Conway, Gregory Lorenzutti, Harrison Hall,
Dramaturg: Maude Davey
Set and Costume Design: The Sisters Hayes
Lighting Design : Jenny Hector
Sound design : Dan West
Producer: Kath Papas Productions
