A Stage to Celebrate Saitama Arts Theater's 20th Anniversary

Philippe Decouflé established his dance company DCA in his early twenties and quickly showcased his talent with humorous performances that uniquely blended film, manga, and circus. His international renown was cemented at age 31 when he directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games. The spectacle of fantastical creatures coming to life in the vast stadium and the dreamlike scenes captivated audiences worldwide.

©Cie DCA

Decouflé also shares a deep connection with Japan. Since his first visit in 1994 for the production "Petites Pièces Montées," his imaginative performances have captured the hearts of many Japanese audiences. In 2003, he premiered "Iris" in Japan, a co-production between France, Japan, and China, following a two-month residency in Yokohama and Yamaguchi. This work later enjoyed a long run in Paris and was re-imagined as "2 Iris" for a successful world tour.

This production of "PANORAMA" graces the anniversary year of Saitama Arts Theater's 20th anniversary. It is a culmination of Decouflé's work, reassembling "best of scenes" from his representative pieces accumulated over approximately 30 years, from the early 1980s to the present.

The stage unfolds panoramically with humorous and poetic aerial pas de deux, tricky shadow puppetry, comic sketches, an elegant solo dance by a girl with deer antlers, and a group dance of kappa-like creatures. In addition to the Saitama performances, this production will also be staged in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Kitakyushu City, and Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.

"I wanted to work with young artists and also return to the unique energy of the pieces I created when I was younger," says Philippe Decouflé. The master artist, proudly representing France, presents a performance that is intuitively joyful and dreamlike, sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

☆ Saitama Performances
Date & Time | June 13 (Fri) 7:30 PM, June 14 (Sat) & 15 (Sun) 3:00 PM
Venue | Saitama Arts Theater
3-15-1 Kami-mine, Chuo-ku, Saitama-shi
Tel. 0570-064-939
Tickets | General S-Seat ¥5,000, A-Seat ¥3,500; Students (High School & Up) S-Seat ¥3,000, A-Seat ¥2,000; Children (Ages 4-Junior High) S-Seat ¥1,500, A-Seat ¥1,000
http://www.saf.or.jp

☆ Matsumoto Performances
Date & Time | June 18 (Wed) 7:00 PM
Venue | Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre
3-10-1 Fukashi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Prefecture
Tel. 0263-33-2200
Tickets | General ¥4,000; University Students & Younger ¥2,000
http://www.mpac.jp

☆ Kitakyushu Performances
Date & Time | June 22 (Sun) 2:00 PM
Venue | Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center
1-1-1 Muro-machi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi
Tel. 093-562-2655
Tickets | General ¥5,000; Youth (High School to Age 24) ¥3,000; Children (Ages 4-Junior High) ¥2,000; Package (General + Child) ¥5,500
http://www.kitakyushu-performingartscenter.or.jp

☆ Otsu Performances
Date & Time | June 28 (Sat) 7:00 PM, June 29 (Sun) 3:00 PM
Venue | Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Shiga
15-1 Uchidehama, Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture
Tel. 077-523-7136
Tickets | General ¥6,000; Youth (Under 25) ¥4,000; Theater Mates ¥2,000
http://www.biwako-hall.or.jp