100th Anniversary Project of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey: International Creation of "The Radiant City" with Playwright and Director Yoko Oike and the Department of Theatre at Bilkent University

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, the Japan Foundation (JF) will send playwright and director OIKE Yoko, leader of the "Usagi Stripe" theater company, to Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, for approximately four weeks from October to November 2024. During this period, students and professors from the university's Department of Theatre will collaborate on a international creation of Ms. OIKE's play "The Radiant City", which will be performed in late November.

In addition to performing original works by the theatrical company "Usagi Stripe", which she founded in 2010, OIKE's activities are diverse, including writing her own plays, which have been performed by many directors, and writing scripts for TV dramas.

In November 2023, Ms. OIKE visited Turkey and engaged in extensive discussions with professionals in the Turkish performing arts, theaters, and universities. During this visit, the Department of Theatre at Bilkent University, the first private university established in Turkey, expressed an interest in collaborating with Ms. OIKE, leading to the realization of this project.

Some third-year and second-year students from Bilkent University are scheduled to participate as actors, and prior to the four-week international creation, Ms. Oike conducted a workshop on-site in September.

Through the four-week international creation and subsequent performances, we hope that Ms. Oike and the students from Bilkent University will gain new insights through their exchange. Additionally, we anticipate that the resulting performances will be enjoyed by Turkish audiences and professionals in the performing arts, fostering further cultural exchange between our two countries in the future.

  • Photo of Performance of The Radiant City
    < Performance of "The Radiant City" >

  • Photo of Workshop in Ankara
    < Workshop in Ankara >

International creation of "The Radiant City" by Yoko Oike and the Department of Theatre at Bilkent University

Date and Time (Production Period) Late October to Mid-November 2024
(Performance) Friday, November 15, Saturday, November 16, Tuesday, November 19, Tuesday, November 26,
Tuesday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Venue Theatre at Bilkent University
Organized by The Japan Foundation (JF), Embassy of Japan in Turkey, Bilkent University

※Additional Performances

Date and Time Saturday, February 22, 2025　20:00～
Venue Doğan Taşdelen Modern Arts Center (Ankara・Turkey)
Organized by The Japan Foundation (JF), Embassy of Japan in Turkey, Bilkent University
Logo:100th Anniversary Project of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey, Bilkent University

Profile

OIKE Yoko

Playwright, director, head of the "Usagi Stripe" company, artistic director of Atelier Shunpusha.
Born in Osaka in 1986. Joined the Seinendan company led by director-playwright Oriza Hirata in April 2010. Formed Usagi Stripe in the same year. In March 2019, OIKE received the Hokkaido Drama Grand Prize in the annual Land of Hope Prizes, awarded to support and promote the art of playwriting. In April 2021, became visiting lecturer at Shobi University in the Department of Performing Arts. In December 2021, received the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Original Screenplay for the NHK drama special, "They’re Probably Gone". In April 2024, she was appointed Assistant Professor at Nihon University College of Art, Department of Theatre. Her recent scriptwriting works include the Saturday drama "Percent" and the evening drama "Mirai no Watashi ni Bukkasareta!" (both NHK general channel).

Photo of OIKE Yoko

Synopsis of "The Radiant City"

Nothing is left there.
In the art room of a high school in a small town shrouded in factory smoke, third-year student Matsuzaki and second-year student Hana are passing the time with a psychological test while waiting for their teacher, Ishino, who teaches the "Urban Planning" class.
Ishino once designed an empty square in this town.
Near that square, Hana’s older brother, Yuzuru, runs a factory and is referred to by those around him as an "alien".
Soon, a mysterious woman appears before Matsuzaki and asks if he has seen the alien who kidnapped her husband.

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