THE RED CANDLE - MERMAIDS IN THE EAST to Play the Brunel Museum

Théatre Lapis presents the World Premiere of The Red Candle - Mermaids in the East, directed by Yojiro Ichikawa and written by Nozomi Abe, at The Grand Entrance Hall at The Brunel Museum (Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 4LF - 3 mins walk from Rotherhithe Station, Overground).

The production runs 4th - 20th November 2016, playing Tues-Sat 7:30pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm. Press Night: 5th November Saturday 7:30pm, followed by Opening Party with refreshments. Tickets, £10 / £8 (Concessions), can be booked online at theatrelapis.org or by calling 0800 411 8881.

Théatre Lapis, led by artistic director Yojiro Ichikawa, premiered in New York, Spring 2012, with the musical Ordinary Days, and in London, Summer 2013, with From Up Here. The company's aim is to bridge many borders including those between musical, physical and straight theatres, western and eastern cultures, and other contexts where our differences might enhance our creative expressions.

With this fusion in mind, the company is delighted to present "The Red Candle - Mermaids in the East" with its moving narrative directed by Yojiro Ichikawa and adapted by Nozomi Abe from "The Mermaid and the Red Candles," a beautiful tragedy about mermaids in Japan originally conceived by Mimei Ogawa who is known as Hans Christian Andersen in Japan.

The way we tell the story is new and experimental pushing the boundaries of traditional methods. We take a minimalistic approach for the maximum theatrical effects accompanied by some traditional Japanese music. We aim to introduce Japanese culture in an authentic way within an intimate space, the Grand Entrance Hall of the Brunel Museum. Our initial inspiration was the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. However, the piece is echoing the grief caused by all other man-made and natural disasters that we had to experience in this turbulent times.

Another exciting aspect of this project is that we are invited to perform for the Royal Opening Ceremony of the Grand Entrance Hall attended by Prince Edward.

Synopsis: In the cold northern seas of Japan, there once was a mermaid who lived alone with her baby. The mermaid saw an orange bonfire in the village, and thought it would be warmer and people would be kinder there. Wanting a warmer existence in the village she left her baby at the shore. She wished nothing but happiness for her child. An old couple, candle makers, raised the baby as their own. Only they knew that once the child came in contact with water, she turned into a mermaid. They never told anyone about it and kept her in their house.

The child grew in beauty and drew fascinating images on candles that people came to believe were magical. Rumours spread that accidents at sea could be prevented by lighting one of her candles. The girl was happy, and so were her parents and villagers. However, such happiness could not last long. On the day of the Autumn Festival, a boy secretly took her out to a folk dance and that became the stage of a tragedy...

"The Red Candle - Mermaids in the East" is supported by the Embassy of Japan, The Japan Society and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

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