Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Crying Cherry

 
Louisa-Claire Dunnigan Review by Louisa-Claire Dunnigan 5 Published: 9 Aug 2010 Show Dates: 31 Dec 1969-31 Dec 1969

The Crying Cherry is the story of twins, Anaki and Kitano, destined to kill one another. When their mother hears this prophecy, she sends Anaki into the mountains to die; instead he meets someone who saves him and ultimately enables his destiny.Ian Bok and Maarten Heijmans graduated from the Amsterdam school of Arts with this show in 2007. Since then they have taken it to Prague, Dublin and Amsterdam, winning awards wherever they go.High-concept physical theatre, The Crying Cherry is performed almost entirely in faux-Japanese gibberish, and Bok and Heijmans have the audience utterly agog for every head twitch, guttural utterance and finger flex. New characters are brought to life through the simplest change of posture, and the actors imbue even the most recognisable stereotype with a sympathetic humanity. Geisha, samurai, dragon, crow: Bok and Heijmans embody them all as they jump, stretch, flip, spin and kick across the stage, defying gravity, sweating in polyester. It is astonishing and hilarious, and the combination of slick choreography and clowning is exhilarating to watch. Throat singing, body percussion, beat boxing and mime are yet more examples of the many talents employed in creating this whirlwind of a show.These guys deserve every award they’ve got, and will hopefully pick up more while they’re here.

Related to this article:

Performances

The Blurb:

Legends about Japanese psychological banditry performed by Dioraphte Amsterdam award winners, Ian Bok and Maarten Heijmans. Satire, slapstick, martial arts, music and mime you would never imagine. Prague Fringe 2009 sell-out. 'Truly innovative ... utterly moving' (FringeReview.com).