Japanese actor, director and teacher Yoshi Oida _320
ORGANISERS are declaring this year’s Physical Fest 4 as the most successful to date, thanks to the participation of some huge names.
The festival, on until Thursday, features experimental workshops and evening events.
Japanese actor, director and teacher Yoshi Oida is involved in both strands of the festival.
Trained from early childhood in the traditional kyogen acting style of the Japanese “No-theatre”, he created his own style after years of performance with Peter Brook.
As part of Brook’s International Theatre Group, he performed all over the world.
Oida is currently giving one workshop taking place over four days, to give those attending a chance to connect properly.
“I try to share what I have studied in Japan and Europe, and from Peter Brook, with the younger generation,” he said.
“We are sharing movement together, or exchanging openness to transmit what I’ve studied in my past.”
All the Physical Fest workshops are sold out, but t some evening events are open to the public.
These include a showing on Wednesday of Have You Seen the Moon? a documentary featuring Oida, who will afterwards give a question and answer session, and the closing party at 3345 Parr Street on Thursday.
Oida continued: “I hadn’t done workshops for two yea rs, and my main aim is not a theatre degree, but happiness. It has helped me as a human being, in how to approach life.
“Before, I felt that life is difficult, but as soon as I started group theatre, I could learn how to live life. So I want them to find a happy life and learn how to live not in frustration and anger, but a calmer life.”
Yorgos Karamalegos, who with Elinor Randal is one of the directors of Momentum theatre, , which is behind the event, said: “This year has been the most successful festival we have done.
“People from all around Europe are coming to workshops, and practitioners are taking part from all over the world . . . It is for everyone who is interested in movement, acting and performance art, and I’m really happy it is taking place in Liverpool as it is a city that is thirsty for that.”
* FOR more information on Physical Fest 4, visit www.momentumtheatre.com
