Posts Tagged ‘Kyoto Fringe’

10 Questions: An interview with Dwayne Lawler

Friday, March 28th, 2008

tokyothe-sculptor-9.JPG

Today I great pleasure in interviewing Dwayne Lawler. Dwayne is an Australian actor currently based in Japan and is active in promoting English theatre in Japan. He is also co-founder of the newly formed, Tokyo Fringe Festival.

He is performing his show “The Sculptor” with Tina Greisman, an American actress at the 2nd Tokyo Fringe Festival which commences on Friday 28th March.

The dates for the Tokyo Fringe Festival are Friday to Sunday 28th – 30th March and the following Friday to Sunday 4th April to 6th April. The Tokyo Fringe Festival is breaking new ground and is set to be one of The major Fringe Festivals of the future.

1. What inspired you to become an actor and performer ?

It was a great escape from the harsh realities and boredom of ‘real life.’

2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?

The Sculptor is a black comedy. Someone is killing all the local artists and a lonely untalented sculptor couldn’t be happier!

3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?

The Tokyo Fringe Festival because of its groundbreaking status as the first fringe festival in Japan.

4. What’s your best advice for aspiring writers, artists, musicians and performers on the Festival/Fringe circuit?

Become very familiar with the space in which you will perform.

5. What is your funniest and also, your worst experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?

In New York when the only people in the audience were three critics and the producer.

6. As you travel performing at different festivals/fringes, what is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?

New York.

7. Who is the person you most admire and why?

Babette Stephens, my acting teacher.

8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?

Positive visualisation.

9. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?

Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human by Harold Bloom

10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Be kind to animals.

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The Garage International

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

Shakti
Welcome to The Garage International

Come park your hopes and dreams with us and join us for the summer festivals. The Garage is a professional venue run by an international artist catering to the needs of an international artist. Our image is the eternal fire burning bright that destroys all boundaries and borders, social morals and taboos.

We invite the controversial and the radical as long as you believe in what you have to say and what you do. Also remember that the most tame traditional thing can be just as unique in this chaotic world.

In 1999 we were proud to host 30 companies from over 10 different countries in theatre, dance, music, physical theatre, mime, and marionette theatre. Every show got reviewed at least once. In 1998 we were the recipient of the ‘Spirit of the Fringe ‘ Award. In 1999, The Riot Group from New York received the Fringe First award for their disturbing and controversial theatre, ‘Wreck the Airline Barrier.’

This was Edinburgh where we started our venture. We then proceeded to the Avignon Public Off Festival in 2001 and then to the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2002 and then to the Montreal Fringe Festival in 2003. And now 2007 October we have started the FIRST Tokyo Fringe Festival at the Shakti Studio!

Each festival and location has its own special feel and uniqueness about it. It is impossible to say which is better. All of them have a special place as all of us have a special place in this world. Since the Fringe in Edinburgh started in 1947, its motive and aim was to give a new experience to those who came, to share something special, to challenge and to dare to experiment, and not be afraid of failure. Though we may be starting to enter into a new era, this will never change. Artists have come from as far as the other side of the world to share their thoughts and dreams. Audience have come equally as far to listen.

The Garage International is here to receive and embrace all. We will keep growing, nourished by you – both artists and audience.

www.TheGarageInternational.com

Scotsman Article about The Garage International

You can also read Shakti’s answers in our10 Questions series.

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10 Questions: An interview with Shakti

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

Shakti, “The Dancing Phoenix”. I first came across Shakti when a French writer friend of mine mentioned her exquisite dance routines at the Avignon Festival. I sought to find out more about Shakti and how she finely blends her traditional eastern dancing with yoga to western jazz and contemporary rock music to spiritually sculpt her mezmerizing dance movements.

shakti on the shore

Photograph courtesy of Jorg Hacker

Shakti is also Artistic Director of The Garage International which has now expanded into Avignon (France), Adelaide (Australia) and Montreal (Canada). She is embarking on new ventures which she tells us about in her,10 Questions.

1. What made/inspired you to become a writer/performer/artist?

My mother was a dancer; my father was a yogi so I was brought up that way. I started dance and yoga as soon as I was brought into this world and it is a way of life and not a career. I want to express my beliefs through my dance. I want to reveal and Read the rest of this entry »

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