Kentaro Yamazaki | "Princess Medea" / "Qui som? - Who are we?" (SHIZUOKA World Theatre Festival 2026 #4)
The article reviews two 2026 Shizuoka theatre productions and their critical reception.Summary
In May 2026, the SHIZUOKA World Theatre Festival staged two works: "Princess Medea" and "Qui som? - Who are we?". "Princess Medea" was directed by Miyagi Satoshi and reimagined Euripides’ tragedy in a Meiji-era pleasure district, using a two-person-one-role structure where men narrate and women act, culminating in a shocking female uprising that kills the men. The 20‑year‑old revival highlights the persistence of patriarchal values in Japan. "Qui som? - Who are we?" is a multidisciplinary piece by the circus‑artist collective Baro Dever, blending dance, contemporary circus, and theatre to explore the theme of failure through surreal humor and physical feats, culminating in an agitational call‑out to the audience. Both pieces were performed at the Shizuoka Arts Theatre and the Sumpu Castle Park’s Momijiyama Garden Plaza, aligning with the festival’s call to listen to unheard voices and echoing its broader program.
(Source：artscape)