Theatre Tram
July 6-9, 7:30 p.m. with 3 p.m. matinees on Sat. & Sun.
Strange Kinoko Dance Company (www.strangekinoko.com) was founded in 1990 by Chie Ito, Yoko Koyama and Mimiko Yamashita when they were students of Western dance in the drama department at Nihon University. The all-female dance company sets out to "study dance" in their performances, and to experiment with established forms, such as ballet and modern dance, to create their own original blend. Their avant-garde style and approach has brought them international acclaim.
Next week, in a series of solo shows, Ito "dives" into life's unexpected moments and explores a sea of possibilities and consequences while wearing a mock scuba diving costume. She typically draws on organic life forms for inspiration, while using situations from ordinary life as the starting point for scenes that unfold into energetic, madcap and exuberant performances. The creative choreography, coupled with a kitschy aesthetic, makes them anything but mundane. Ito hints at notions of controlling destiny, dream fulfillment and lost opportunities, while sharing her lament with the audience: "Should I have just dived in?"
