English Recitation to Foster Internationally Aware Youth
- Recitation/Lecture and Workshop by Mr. Yoshio Arai -
Why a Recitation Now?
A comment from writer Kunio Tsuji on Mr. Arai's recitation:
…Our modern civilization progresses so rapidly that we seem to be unable to hear our “inner voice.” In other words, we are quite isolated from a true sense of what it means to be alive. A highly technological society functions as a device to remove us from the human experience. The true joy of climbing a mountain involves crossing a valley and clawing one's way to a high cliff, sweating and breathless. Otherwise, it wouldn't really be climbing. Similarly, hearing a voice brings us close to “real life.” Indeed, a voice could even be called a theater, left behind, as though it were a miracle, to show us what it means to live in our modern times. This is why Mr. Arai's recitation moves us and transports us—it is an endeavor to restore the very vitality of our being.
(from “The Voice as the Theater of Life” by Kunio Tsuji)
Profile of Mr. Yoshio Arai, professor emeritus of Komazawa University Mr. Arai was born in 1935 in Kyoto. His father, Ryohei Arai, was a movie director of Nikkatsu Kyoto, and specialized in the historical jidai geki, otherwise known as samurai films. While at Gakushuin University, he both directed and acted in many of Shakespeare's works. He recited the complete works of Shakespeare to raise funds in cooperation with the International Fund Raising Campaign to Reconstruct the Globe, and for this contribution was awarded the Globe Prize of Honor from the International Shakespeare Globe Center. During the completion ceremony he had the honor of being greeted by Queen Elizabeth II. He has also completed recitation of the entirety of “Dickens's Scripts for Recitation.” His recitation career exceeds 50 years. |
Mr. Arai, |
His Voice Training and Recitation
He received voice training under the masters of Izumi-style kyogen and Konparu-style Noh drama, and has recited not only the works of Shakespeare but masterpieces of English literature both in the original English and in Japanese translation. His efforts are truly the realization of Kunio Tsuji's statement above, that the voice is “an endeavor to restore the very vitality of our being.”
The ability of great opera singers to bring printed music to life through their personal interpretation is proof enough that the voice is indeed a mysterious and powerful instrument. Likewise, Mr. Arai possesses the ability to breathe new life into literature with the passion and individuality of his voice, imparting to his listeners a joy beyond any they might experience through the simple reading of a text.
CV
Mr. Arai also appeared as an English language lecturer for 4 years on NHK and 10 years on the “English for One Million People” program by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. He served as chairman of the board for the Yamaji Fumiko Cultural Foundation for 10 years, as a board member for the U.N. Association of Japan for 5 years, and as chairman of the Wilde Society of Japan and later as a consultant for the same organization.
Publications
He has published many books specializing in the English language as well as English literature and theater, including Shakespeare Production Theory, An Introduction to English Literature, English Theater and Films, and English and Movies Together. His translated works include Shakespeare on Film, The Complete Tragedies of Oscar Wilde, The Complete Comedies of Oscar Wilde, and Famous Expressions from Salome. His most recent works are Zen in English Culture and Speech in Action – Reading and Speaking in Public.
Arrangement Details:
Ashley Associates has organized a workshop and lecture by Mr. Arai entitled “English Recitation to Foster Internationally Aware Youth.” The primary purpose of this project is to awaken audiences to the charm of English literature through the power of the voice. Please visit our Web site, www.stageplay.jp, for your application. We would be delighted to receive any inquiry you may have concerning our project.
The length of the workshop/lecture ranges from 1 to 3 hours and the fee is negotiable. The intended audience will be high school and university students, adult education classes, or any group that is interested in recitations in English and Japanese.
International Theatre Company London
Executive Committee in Japan
Represented by: Ashley Associates Ltd.
Michiyo Watanabe, Producer
8F Minami Aoyama First Bld.,
7-8-1 Minami Aoyama,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
| TEL | (general): 03-5469-2869, (direct) 03-5469-2841 (11:00 am-7:00 pm) |
| FAX | 03-5469-2870 |
| theater09@ashleyassociates.co.jp | |
| URL | http://www.ashleyassociates.co.jp http://www.stageplay.jp http://www.adg-europe.com |
|